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<section id="preamble">

<h1>The Two Gentlemen of Verona</h1>

<section id="dramatis-personae"><h2>Dramatis Personae</h2>

<ol class="persona-group">
  <li>DUKE OF MILAN, Father to Silvia. </li>
</ol>

<ol class="persona-group" data-description="the two Gentlemen.">
  <li>VALENTINE</li>
  <li>PROTEUS</li>
</ol>

<ol class="persona-group">
  <li>ANTONIO, Father to Proteus.</li>
  <li>THURIO, a foolish rival to Valentine.</li>
  <li>EGLAMOUR, Agent for Silvia in her escape.</li>
  <li>HOST, where Julia lodges. </li>
  <li>OUTLAWS, with Valentine.</li>
  <li>SPEED, a clownish servant to Valentine.</li>
  <li>LAUNCE, the like to Proteus.</li>
  <li>PANTHINO, Servant to Antonio.</li>
  <li>JULIA, beloved of Proteus.</li>
  <li>SILVIA, beloved of Valentine.</li>
  <li>LUCETTA, waiting-woman to Julia.</li>
  <li>Servants, Musicians.</li>
</ol>

</section>

<div id="scene-description">SCENE  Verona; Milan; the frontiers of Mantua.</div>

</section>

<section class="act">

<h2>ACT I</h2>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE I.  Verona. An open place.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter VALENTINE and PROTEUS</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Cease to persuade, my loving Proteus:</li>
  <li>Home-keeping youth have ever homely wits.</li>
  <li>Were't not affection chains thy tender days</li>
  <li>To the sweet glances of thy honour'd love,</li>
  <li class="number">I rather would entreat thy company</li>
  <li>To see the wonders of the world abroad,</li>
  <li>Than, living dully sluggardized at home,</li>
  <li>Wear out thy youth with shapeless idleness.</li>
  <li>But since thou lovest, love still and thrive therein,</li>
  <li class="number">Even as I would when I to love begin.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Wilt thou be gone? Sweet Valentine, adieu!</li>
  <li>Think on thy Proteus, when thou haply seest</li>
  <li>Some rare note-worthy object in thy travel:</li>
  <li>Wish me partaker in thy happiness</li>
  <li class="number">When thou dost meet good hap; and in thy danger,</li>
  <li>If ever danger do environ thee,</li>
  <li>Commend thy grievance to my holy prayers,</li>
  <li>For I will be thy beadsman, Valentine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>And on a love-book pray for my success?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">Upon some book I love I'll pray for thee.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>That's on some shallow story of deep love:</li>
  <li>How young Leander cross'd the Hellespont.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>That's a deep story of a deeper love:</li>
  <li>For he was more than over shoes in love.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">'Tis true; for you are over boots in love,</li>
  <li>And yet you never swum the Hellespont.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Over the boots? nay, give me not the boots.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>No, I will not, for it boots thee not.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>What?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">To be in love, where scorn is bought with groans;</li>
  <li>Coy looks with heart-sore sighs; one fading moment's mirth</li>
  <li>With twenty watchful, weary, tedious nights:</li>
  <li>If haply won, perhaps a hapless gain;</li>
  <li>If lost, why then a grievous labour won;</li>
  <li class="number">However, but a folly bought with wit,</li>
  <li>Or else a wit by folly vanquished.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>So, by your circumstance, you call me fool.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>So, by your circumstance, I fear you'll prove.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>'Tis love you cavil at: I am not Love.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">Love is your master, for he masters you:</li>
  <li>And he that is so yoked by a fool,</li>
  <li>Methinks, should not be chronicled for wise.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Yet writers say, as in the sweetest bud</li>
  <li>The eating canker dwells, so eating love</li>
  <li class="number">Inhabits in the finest wits of all.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>And writers say, as the most forward bud</li>
  <li>Is eaten by the canker ere it blow,</li>
  <li>Even so by love the young and tender wit</li>
  <li>Is turn'd to folly, blasting in the bud,</li>
  <li class="number">Losing his verdure even in the prime</li>
  <li>And all the fair effects of future hopes.</li>
  <li>But wherefore waste I time to counsel thee,</li>
  <li>That art a votary to fond desire?</li>
  <li>Once more adieu! my father at the road</li>
  <li class="number">Expects my coming, there to see me shipp'd.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>And thither will I bring thee, Valentine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Sweet Proteus, no; now let us take our leave.</li>
  <li>To Milan let me hear from thee by letters</li>
  <li>Of thy success in love, and what news else</li>
  <li class="number">Betideth here in absence of thy friend;</li>
  <li>And likewise will visit thee with mine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>All happiness bechance to thee in Milan!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>As much to you at home! and so, farewell.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>He after honour hunts, I after love:</li>
  <li class="number">He leaves his friends to dignify them more,</li>
  <li>I leave myself, my friends and all, for love.</li>
  <li>Thou, Julia, thou hast metamorphosed me,</li>
  <li>Made me neglect my studies, lose my time,</li>
  <li>War with good counsel, set the world at nought;</li>
  <li class="number">Made wit with musing weak, heart sick with thought.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter SPEED</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Sir Proteus, save you! Saw you my master?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>But now he parted hence, to embark for Milan.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Twenty to one then he is shipp'd already,</li>
  <li>And I have play'd the sheep in losing him.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">Indeed, a sheep doth very often stray,</li>
  <li>An if the shepherd be a while away.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>You conclude that my master is a shepherd, then,</li>
  <li>and I a sheep?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>I do.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li class="number">Why then, my horns are his horns, whether I wake or sleep.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>A silly answer and fitting well a sheep.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>This proves me still a sheep.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>True; and thy master a shepherd.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">It shall go hard but I'll prove it by another.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>The shepherd seeks the sheep, and not the sheep the</li>
  <li>shepherd; but I seek my master, and my master seeks</li>
  <li>not me: therefore I am no sheep.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>The sheep for fodder follow the shepherd; the</li>
  <li class="number">shepherd for food follows not the sheep: thou for</li>
  <li>wages followest thy master; thy master for wages</li>
  <li>follows not thee: therefore thou art a sheep.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Such another proof will make me cry 'baa.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>But, dost thou hear? gavest thou my letter to Julia?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li class="number">Ay sir: I, a lost mutton, gave your letter to her,</li>
  <li>a laced mutton, and she, a laced mutton, gave me, a</li>
  <li>lost mutton, nothing for my labour.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Here's too small a pasture for such store of muttons.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>If the ground be overcharged, you were best stick her.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">Nay: in that you are astray, 'twere best pound you.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Nay, sir, less than a pound shall serve me for</li>
  <li>carrying your letter.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>You mistake; I mean the pound —  a pinfold.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>From a pound to a pin? fold it over and over,</li>
  <li class="number">'Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to</li>
  <li>your lover.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>But what said she?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>First nodding  Ay.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Nod — Ay — why, that's noddy.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li class="number">You mistook, sir; I say, she did nod: and you ask</li>
  <li>me if she did nod; and I say, 'Ay.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>And that set together is noddy.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Now you have taken the pains to set it together,</li>
  <li>take it for your pains.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">No, no; you shall have it for bearing the letter.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Well, I perceive I must be fain to bear with you.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Why sir, how do you bear with me?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Marry, sir, the letter, very orderly; having nothing</li>
  <li>but the word 'noddy' for my pains.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">Beshrew me, but you have a quick wit.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>And yet it cannot overtake your slow purse.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Come come, open the matter in brief: what said she?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Open your purse, that the money and the matter may</li>
  <li>be both at once delivered.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">Well, sir, here is for your pains. What said she?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Truly, sir, I think you'll hardly win her.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Why, couldst thou perceive so much from her?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Sir, I could perceive nothing at all from her; no,</li>
  <li>not so much as a ducat for delivering your letter:</li>
  <li class="number">and being so hard to me that brought your mind, I</li>
  <li>fear she'll prove as hard to you in telling your</li>
  <li>mind. Give her no token but stones; for she's as</li>
  <li>hard as steel.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>What said she? nothing?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li class="number">No, not so much as 'Take this for thy pains.' To</li>
  <li>testify your bounty, I thank you, you have testerned</li>
  <li>me; in requital whereof, henceforth carry your</li>
  <li>letters yourself: and so, sir, I'll commend you to my master.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Go, go, be gone, to save your ship from wreck,</li>
  <li class="number">Which cannot perish having thee aboard,</li>
  <li>Being destined to a drier death on shore.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exit SPEED</li>
  <li>I must go send some better messenger:</li>
  <li>I fear my Julia would not deign my lines,</li>
  <li>Receiving them from such a worthless post.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE II.  The same. Garden of JULIA's house.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter JULlA and LUCETTA</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>But say, Lucetta, now we are alone,</li>
  <li>Wouldst thou then counsel me to fall in love?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>Ay, madam, so you stumble not unheedfully.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Of all the fair resort of gentlemen</li>
  <li class="number">That every day with parle encounter me,</li>
  <li>In thy opinion which is worthiest love?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>Please you repeat their names, I'll show my mind</li>
  <li>According to my shallow simple skill.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>What think'st thou of the fair Sir Eglamour?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li class="number">As of a knight well-spoken, neat and fine;</li>
  <li>But, were I you, he never should be mine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>What think'st thou of the rich Mercatio?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>Well of his wealth; but of himself, so so.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>What think'st thou of the gentle Proteus?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li class="number">Lord, Lord! to see what folly reigns in us!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>How now! what means this passion at his name?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>Pardon, dear madam: 'tis a passing shame</li>
  <li>That I, unworthy body as I am,</li>
  <li>Should censure thus on lovely gentlemen.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li class="number">Why not on Proteus, as of all the rest?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>Then thus: of many good I think him best.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Your reason?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>I have no other, but a woman's reason;</li>
  <li>I think him so because I think him so.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li class="number">And wouldst thou have me cast my love on him?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>Ay, if you thought your love not cast away.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Why he, of all the rest, hath never moved me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>Yet he, of all the rest, I think, best loves ye.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>His little speaking shows his love but small.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li class="number">Fire that's closest kept burns most of all.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>They do not love that do not show their love.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>O, they love least that let men know their love.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>I would I knew his mind.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>Peruse this paper, madam.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li class="number">'To Julia.' Say, from whom?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>That the contents will show.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Say, say, who gave it thee?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>Valentine's page; and sent, I think, from Proteus.</li>
  <li>He would have given it you; but I, being in the way,</li>
  <li class="number">Did in your name receive it: pardon the</li>
  <li>fault I pray.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Now, by my modesty, a goodly broker!</li>
  <li>Dare you presume to harbour wanton lines?</li>
  <li>To whisper and conspire against my youth?</li>
  <li class="number">Now, trust me, 'tis an office of great worth</li>
  <li>And you an officer fit for the place.</li>
  <li>Or else return no more into my sight.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>To plead for love deserves more fee than hate.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Will ye be gone?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li class="number">That you may ruminate.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>And yet I would I had o'erlooked the letter:</li>
  <li>It were a shame to call her back again</li>
  <li>And pray her to a fault for which I chid her.</li>
  <li>What a fool is she, that knows I am a maid,</li>
  <li class="number">And would not force the letter to my view!</li>
  <li>Since maids, in modesty, say 'no' to that</li>
  <li>Which they would have the profferer construe 'ay.'</li>
  <li>Fie, fie, how wayward is this foolish love</li>
  <li>That, like a testy babe, will scratch the nurse</li>
  <li class="number">And presently all humbled kiss the rod!</li>
  <li>How churlishly I chid Lucetta hence,</li>
  <li>When willingly I would have had her here!</li>
  <li>How angerly I taught my brow to frown,</li>
  <li>When inward joy enforced my heart to smile!</li>
  <li class="number">My penance is to call Lucetta back</li>
  <li>And ask remission for my folly past.</li>
  <li>What ho! Lucetta!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Re-enter LUCETTA</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>What would your ladyship?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Is't near dinner-time?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li class="number">I would it were,</li>
  <li>That you might kill your stomach on your meat</li>
  <li>And not upon your maid.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>What is't that you took up so gingerly?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>Nothing.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li class="number">Why didst thou stoop, then?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>To take a paper up that I let fall.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>And is that paper nothing?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>Nothing concerning me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Then let it lie for those that it concerns.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li class="number">Madam, it will not lie where it concerns</li>
  <li>Unless it have a false interpeter.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Some love of yours hath writ to you in rhyme.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>That I might sing it, madam, to a tune.</li>
  <li>Give me a note: your ladyship can set.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li class="number">As little by such toys as may be possible.</li>
  <li>Best sing it to the tune of 'Light o' love.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>It is too heavy for so light a tune.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Heavy! belike it hath some burden then?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>Ay, and melodious were it, would you sing it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li class="number">And why not you?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>I cannot reach so high.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Let's see your song. How now, minion!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>Keep tune there still, so you will sing it out:</li>
  <li>And yet methinks I do not like this tune.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li class="number">You do not?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>No, madam; it is too sharp.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>You, minion, are too saucy.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>Nay, now you are too flat</li>
  <li>And mar the concord with too harsh a descant:</li>
  <li class="number">There wanteth but a mean to fill your song.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>The mean is drown'd with your unruly bass.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>Indeed, I bid the base for Proteus.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>This babble shall not henceforth trouble me.</li>
  <li>Here is a coil with protestation!</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Tears the letter</li>
  <li class="number">Go get you gone, and let the papers lie:</li>
  <li>You would be fingering them, to anger me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>She makes it strange; but she would be best pleased</li>
  <li>To be so anger'd with another letter.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Nay, would I were so anger'd with the same!</li>
  <li class="number">O hateful hands, to tear such loving words!</li>
  <li>Injurious wasps, to feed on such sweet honey</li>
  <li>And kill the bees that yield it with your stings!</li>
  <li>I'll kiss each several paper for amends.</li>
  <li>Look, here is writ 'kind Julia.' Unkind Julia!</li>
  <li class="number">As in revenge of thy ingratitude,</li>
  <li>I throw thy name against the bruising stones,</li>
  <li>Trampling contemptuously on thy disdain.</li>
  <li>And here is writ 'love-wounded Proteus.'</li>
  <li>Poor wounded name! my bosom as a bed</li>
  <li class="number">Shall lodge thee till thy wound be thoroughly heal'd;</li>
  <li>And thus I search it with a sovereign kiss.</li>
  <li>But twice or thrice was 'Proteus' written down.</li>
  <li>Be calm, good wind, blow not a word away</li>
  <li>Till I have found each letter in the letter,</li>
  <li class="number">Except mine own name: that some whirlwind bear</li>
  <li>Unto a ragged fearful-hanging rock</li>
  <li>And throw it thence into the raging sea!</li>
  <li>Lo, here in one line is his name twice writ,</li>
  <li>'Poor forlorn Proteus, passionate Proteus,</li>
  <li class="number">To the sweet Julia:' that I'll tear away.</li>
  <li>And yet I will not, sith so prettily</li>
  <li>He couples it to his complaining names.</li>
  <li>Thus will I fold them one on another:</li>
  <li>Now kiss, embrace, contend, do what you will.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Re-enter LUCETTA</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li class="number">Madam,</li>
  <li>Dinner is ready, and your father stays.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Well, let us go.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>What, shall these papers lie like tell-tales here?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>If you respect them, best to take them up.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li class="number">Nay, I was taken up for laying them down:</li>
  <li>Yet here they shall not lie, for catching cold.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>I see you have a month's mind to them.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>Ay, madam, you may say what sights you see;</li>
  <li>I see things too, although you judge I wink.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li class="number">Come, come; will't please you go?</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE III.  The same. ANTONIO's house.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter ANTONIO and PANTHINO</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">ANTONIO</li>
  <li>Tell me, Panthino, what sad talk was that</li>
  <li>Wherewith my brother held you in the cloister?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PANTHINO</li>
  <li>'Twas of his nephew Proteus, your son.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">ANTONIO</li>
  <li>Why, what of him?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PANTHINO</li>
  <li class="number">He wonder'd that your lordship</li>
  <li>Would suffer him to spend his youth at home,</li>
  <li>While other men, of slender reputation,</li>
  <li>Put forth their sons to seek preferment out:</li>
  <li>Some to the wars, to try their fortune there;</li>
  <li class="number">Some to discover islands far away;</li>
  <li>Some to the studious universities.</li>
  <li>For any or for all these exercises,</li>
  <li>He said that Proteus your son was meet,</li>
  <li>And did request me to importune you</li>
  <li class="number">To let him spend his time no more at home,</li>
  <li>Which would be great impeachment to his age,</li>
  <li>In having known no travel in his youth.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">ANTONIO</li>
  <li>Nor need'st thou much importune me to that</li>
  <li>Whereon this month I have been hammering.</li>
  <li class="number">I have consider'd well his loss of time</li>
  <li>And how he cannot be a perfect man,</li>
  <li>Not being tried and tutor'd in the world:</li>
  <li>Experience is by industry achieved</li>
  <li>And perfected by the swift course of time.</li>
  <li class="number">Then tell me, whither were I best to send him?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PANTHINO</li>
  <li>I think your lordship is not ignorant</li>
  <li>How his companion, youthful Valentine,</li>
  <li>Attends the emperor in his royal court.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">ANTONIO</li>
  <li>I know it well.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PANTHINO</li>
  <li class="number">'Twere good, I think, your lordship sent him thither:</li>
  <li>There shall he practise tilts and tournaments,</li>
  <li>Hear sweet discourse, converse with noblemen.</li>
  <li>And be in eye of every exercise</li>
  <li>Worthy his youth and nobleness of birth.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">ANTONIO</li>
  <li class="number">I like thy counsel; well hast thou advised:</li>
  <li>And that thou mayst perceive how well I like it,</li>
  <li>The execution of it shall make known.</li>
  <li>Even with the speediest expedition</li>
  <li>I will dispatch him to the emperor's court.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PANTHINO</li>
  <li class="number">To-morrow, may it please you, Don Alphonso,</li>
  <li>With other gentlemen of good esteem,</li>
  <li>Are journeying to salute the emperor</li>
  <li>And to commend their service to his will.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">ANTONIO</li>
  <li>Good company; with them shall Proteus go:</li>
  <li class="number">And, in good time! now will we break with him.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter PROTEUS</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Sweet love! sweet lines! sweet life!</li>
  <li>Here is her hand, the agent of her heart;</li>
  <li>Here is her oath for love, her honour's pawn.</li>
  <li>O, that our fathers would applaud our loves,</li>
  <li class="number">To seal our happiness with their consents!</li>
  <li>O heavenly Julia!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">ANTONIO</li>
  <li>How now! what letter are you reading there?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>May't please your lordship, 'tis a word or two</li>
  <li>Of commendations sent from Valentine,</li>
  <li class="number">Deliver'd by a friend that came from him.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">ANTONIO</li>
  <li>Lend me the letter; let me see what news.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>There is no news, my lord, but that he writes</li>
  <li>How happily he lives, how well beloved</li>
  <li>And daily graced by the emperor;</li>
  <li class="number">Wishing me with him, partner of his fortune.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">ANTONIO</li>
  <li>And how stand you affected to his wish?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>As one relying on your lordship's will</li>
  <li>And not depending on his friendly wish.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">ANTONIO</li>
  <li>My will is something sorted with his wish.</li>
  <li class="number">Muse not that I thus suddenly proceed;</li>
  <li>For what I will, I will, and there an end.</li>
  <li>I am resolved that thou shalt spend some time</li>
  <li>With Valentinus in the emperor's court:</li>
  <li>What maintenance he from his friends receives,</li>
  <li class="number">Like exhibition thou shalt have from me.</li>
  <li>To-morrow be in readiness to go:</li>
  <li>Excuse it not, for I am peremptory.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>My lord, I cannot be so soon provided:</li>
  <li>Please you, deliberate a day or two.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">ANTONIO</li>
  <li class="number">Look, what thou want'st shall be sent after thee:</li>
  <li>No more of stay! to-morrow thou must go.</li>
  <li>Come on, Panthino: you shall be employ'd</li>
  <li>To hasten on his expedition.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt ANTONIO and PANTHINO</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Thus have I shunn'd the fire for fear of burning,</li>
  <li class="number">And drench'd me in the sea, where I am drown'd.</li>
  <li>I fear'd to show my father Julia's letter,</li>
  <li>Lest he should take exceptions to my love;</li>
  <li>And with the vantage of mine own excuse</li>
  <li>Hath he excepted most against my love.</li>
  <li class="number">O, how this spring of love resembleth</li>
  <li>The uncertain glory of an April day,</li>
  <li>Which now shows all the beauty of the sun,</li>
  <li>And by and by a cloud takes all away!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Re-enter PANTHINO</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PANTHINO</li>
  <li>Sir Proteus, your father calls for you:</li>
  <li class="number">He is in haste; therefore, I pray you to go.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Why, this it is: my heart accords thereto,</li>
  <li>And yet a thousand times it answers 'no.'</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

</section>

<section class="act">

<h2>ACT II</h2>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE I.  Milan. The DUKE's palace.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter VALENTINE and SPEED</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Sir, your glove.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Not mine; my gloves are on.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Why, then, this may be yours, for this is but one.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Ha! let me see: ay, give it me, it's mine:</li>
  <li class="number">Sweet ornament that decks a thing divine!</li>
  <li>Ah, Silvia, Silvia!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Madam Silvia! Madam Silvia!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>How now, sirrah?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>She is not within hearing, sir.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">Why, sir, who bade you call her?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Your worship, sir; or else I mistook.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Well, you'll still be too forward.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>And yet I was last chidden for being too slow.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Go to, sir: tell me, do you know Madam Silvia?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li class="number">She that your worship loves?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Why, how know you that I am in love?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Marry, by these special marks: first, you have</li>
  <li>learned, like Sir Proteus, to wreathe your arms,</li>
  <li>like a malecontent; to relish a love-song, like a</li>
  <li class="number">robin-redbreast; to walk alone, like one that had</li>
  <li>the pestilence; to sigh, like a school-boy that had</li>
  <li>lost his A B C; to weep, like a young wench that had</li>
  <li>buried her grandam; to fast, like one that takes</li>
  <li>diet; to watch like one that fears robbing; to</li>
  <li class="number">speak puling, like a beggar at Hallowmas. You were</li>
  <li>wont, when you laughed, to crow like a cock; when you</li>
  <li>walked, to walk like one of the lions; when you</li>
  <li>fasted, it was presently after dinner; when you</li>
  <li>looked sadly, it was for want of money: and now you</li>
  <li class="number">are metamorphosed with a mistress, that, when I look</li>
  <li>on you, I can hardly think you my master.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Are all these things perceived in me?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>They are all perceived without ye.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Without me? they cannot.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li class="number">Without you? nay, that's certain, for, without you</li>
  <li>were so simple, none else would: but you are so</li>
  <li>without these follies, that these follies are within</li>
  <li>you and shine through you like the water in an</li>
  <li>urinal, that not an eye that sees you but is a</li>
  <li class="number">physician to comment on your malady.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>But tell me, dost thou know my lady Silvia?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>She that you gaze on so as she sits at supper?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Hast thou observed that? even she, I mean.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Why, sir, I know her not.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">Dost thou know her by my gazing on her, and yet</li>
  <li>knowest her not?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Is she not hard-favoured, sir?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Not so fair, boy, as well-favoured.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Sir, I know that well enough.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">What dost thou know?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>That she is not so fair as, of you, well-favoured.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>I mean that her beauty is exquisite, but her favour infinite.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>That's because the one is painted and the other out</li>
  <li>of all count.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">How painted? and how out of count?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Marry, sir, so painted, to make her fair, that no</li>
  <li>man counts of her beauty.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>How esteemest thou me? I account of her beauty.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>You never saw her since she was deformed.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">How long hath she been deformed?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Ever since you loved her.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>I have loved her ever since I saw her; and still I</li>
  <li>see her beautiful.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>If you love her, you cannot see her.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">Why?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Because Love is blind. O, that you had mine eyes;</li>
  <li>or your own eyes had the lights they were wont to</li>
  <li>have when you chid at Sir Proteus for going</li>
  <li>ungartered!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">What should I see then?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Your own present folly and her passing deformity:</li>
  <li>for he, being in love, could not see to garter his</li>
  <li>hose, and you, being in love, cannot see to put on your hose.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Belike, boy, then, you are in love; for last</li>
  <li class="number">morning you could not see to wipe my shoes.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>True, sir; I was in love with my bed: I thank you,</li>
  <li>you swinged me for my love, which makes me the</li>
  <li>bolder to chide you for yours.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>In conclusion, I stand affected to her.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li class="number">I would you were set, so your affection would cease.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Last night she enjoined me to write some lines to</li>
  <li>one she loves.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>And have you?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>I have.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li class="number">Are they not lamely writ?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>No, boy, but as well as I can do them. Peace!</li>
  <li>here she comes.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Aside  O excellent motion! O exceeding puppet!</li>
  <li>Now will he interpret to her.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter SILVIA</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">Madam and mistress, a thousand good-morrows.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Aside  O, give ye good even! here's a million of manners.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>Sir Valentine and servant, to you two thousand.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Aside  He should give her interest and she gives it him.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>As you enjoin'd me, I have writ your letter</li>
  <li class="number">Unto the secret nameless friend of yours;</li>
  <li>Which I was much unwilling to proceed in</li>
  <li>But for my duty to your ladyship.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>I thank you gentle servant: 'tis very clerkly done.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Now trust me, madam, it came hardly off;</li>
  <li class="number">For being ignorant to whom it goes</li>
  <li>I writ at random, very doubtfully.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>Perchance you think too much of so much pains?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>No, madam; so it stead you, I will write</li>
  <li>Please you command, a thousand times as much; And yet — </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li class="number">A pretty period! Well, I guess the sequel;</li>
  <li>And yet I will not name it; and yet I care not;</li>
  <li>And yet take this again; and yet I thank you,</li>
  <li>Meaning henceforth to trouble you no more.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Aside  And yet you will; and yet another 'yet.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">What means your ladyship? do you not like it?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>Yes, yes; the lines are very quaintly writ;</li>
  <li>But since unwillingly, take them again.</li>
  <li>Nay, take them.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Madam, they are for you.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li class="number">Ay, ay: you writ them, sir, at my request;</li>
  <li>But I will none of them; they are for you;</li>
  <li>I would have had them writ more movingly.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Please you, I'll write your ladyship another.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>And when it's writ, for my sake read it over,</li>
  <li class="number">And if it please you, so; if not, why, so.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>If it please me, madam, what then?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>Why, if it please you, take it for your labour:</li>
  <li>And so, good morrow, servant.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>O jest unseen, inscrutable, invisible,</li>
  <li class="number">As a nose on a man's face, or a weathercock on a steeple!</li>
  <li>My master sues to her, and she hath</li>
  <li>taught her suitor,</li>
  <li>He being her pupil, to become her tutor.</li>
  <li>O excellent device! was there ever heard a better,</li>
  <li class="number">That my master, being scribe, to himself should write</li>
  <li>the letter?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>How now, sir? what are you reasoning with yourself?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Nay, I was rhyming: 'tis you that have the reason.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>To do what?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li class="number">To be a spokesman for Madam Silvia.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>To whom?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>To yourself: why, she wooes you by a figure.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>What figure?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>By a letter, I should say.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">Why, she hath not writ to me?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>What need she, when she hath made you write to</li>
  <li>yourself? Why, do you not perceive the jest?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>No, believe me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>No believing you, indeed, sir. But did you perceive</li>
  <li class="number">her earnest?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>She gave me none, except an angry word.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Why, she hath given you a letter.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>That's the letter I writ to her friend.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>And that letter hath she delivered, and there an end.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">I would it were no worse.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>I'll warrant you, 'tis as well:</li>
  <li>For often have you writ to her, and she, in modesty,</li>
  <li>Or else for want of idle time, could not again reply;</li>
  <li>Or fearing else some messenger that might her mind discover,</li>
  <li class="number">Herself hath taught her love himself to write unto her lover.</li>
  <li>All this I speak in print, for in print I found it.</li>
  <li>Why muse you, sir? 'tis dinner-time.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>I have dined.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Ay, but hearken, sir; though the chameleon Love can</li>
  <li class="number">feed on the air, I am one that am nourished by my</li>
  <li>victuals, and would fain have meat. O, be not like</li>
  <li>your mistress; be moved, be moved.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE II.  Verona. JULIA'S house.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter PROTEUS and JULIA</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Have patience, gentle Julia.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>I must, where is no remedy.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>When possibly I can, I will return.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>If you turn not, you will return the sooner.</li>
  <li class="number">Keep this remembrance for thy Julia's sake.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Giving a ring</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Why then, we'll make exchange; here, take you this.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>And seal the bargain with a holy kiss.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Here is my hand for my true constancy;</li>
  <li>And when that hour o'erslips me in the day</li>
  <li class="number">Wherein I sigh not, Julia, for thy sake,</li>
  <li>The next ensuing hour some foul mischance</li>
  <li>Torment me for my love's forgetfulness!</li>
  <li>My father stays my coming; answer not;</li>
  <li>The tide is now: nay, not thy tide of tears;</li>
  <li class="number">That tide will stay me longer than I should.</li>
  <li>Julia, farewell!</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exit JULIA</li>
  <li>What, gone without a word?</li>
  <li>Ay, so true love should do: it cannot speak;</li>
  <li>For truth hath better deeds than words to grace it.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter PANTHINO</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PANTHINO</li>
  <li class="number">Sir Proteus, you are stay'd for.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Go; I come, I come.</li>
  <li>Alas! this parting strikes poor lovers dumb.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE III.  The same. A street.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter LAUNCE, leading a dog</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Nay, 'twill be this hour ere I have done weeping;</li>
  <li>all the kind of the Launces have this very fault. I</li>
  <li>have received my proportion, like the prodigious</li>
  <li>son, and am going with Sir Proteus to the Imperial's</li>
  <li class="number">court. I think Crab, my dog, be the sourest-natured</li>
  <li>dog that lives: my mother weeping, my father</li>
  <li>wailing, my sister crying, our maid howling, our cat</li>
  <li>wringing her hands, and all our house in a great</li>
  <li>perplexity, yet did not this cruel-hearted cur shed</li>
  <li class="number">one tear: he is a stone, a very pebble stone, and</li>
  <li>has no more pity in him than a dog: a Jew would have</li>
  <li>wept to have seen our parting; why, my grandam,</li>
  <li>having no eyes, look you, wept herself blind at my</li>
  <li>parting. Nay, I'll show you the manner of it. This</li>
  <li class="number">shoe is my father: no, this left shoe is my father:</li>
  <li>no, no, this left shoe is my mother: nay, that</li>
  <li>cannot be so neither: yes, it is so, it is so, it</li>
  <li>hath the worser sole. This shoe, with the hole in</li>
  <li>it, is my mother, and this my father; a vengeance</li>
  <li class="number">on't! there 'tis: now, sit, this staff is my</li>
  <li>sister, for, look you, she is as white as a lily and</li>
  <li>as small as a wand: this hat is Nan, our maid: I</li>
  <li>am the dog: no, the dog is himself, and I am the</li>
  <li>dog — Oh! the dog is me, and I am myself; ay, so,</li>
  <li class="number">so. Now come I to my father; Father, your blessing:</li>
  <li>now should not the shoe speak a word for weeping:</li>
  <li>now should I kiss my father; well, he weeps on. Now</li>
  <li>come I to my mother: O, that she could speak now</li>
  <li>like a wood woman! Well, I kiss her; why, there</li>
  <li class="number">'tis; here's my mother's breath up and down. Now</li>
  <li>come I to my sister; mark the moan she makes. Now</li>
  <li>the dog all this while sheds not a tear nor speaks a</li>
  <li>word; but see how I lay the dust with my tears.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter PANTHINO</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PANTHINO</li>
  <li>Launce, away, away, aboard! thy master is shipped</li>
  <li class="number">and thou art to post after with oars. What's the</li>
  <li>matter? why weepest thou, man? Away, ass! You'll</li>
  <li>lose the tide, if you tarry any longer.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>It is no matter if the tied were lost; for it is the</li>
  <li>unkindest tied that ever any man tied.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PANTHINO</li>
  <li class="number">What's the unkindest tide?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Why, he that's tied here, Crab, my dog.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PANTHINO</li>
  <li>Tut, man, I mean thou'lt lose the flood, and, in</li>
  <li>losing the flood, lose thy voyage, and, in losing</li>
  <li>thy voyage, lose thy master, and, in losing thy</li>
  <li class="number">master, lose thy service, and, in losing thy</li>
  <li>service —  Why dost thou stop my mouth?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>For fear thou shouldst lose thy tongue.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PANTHINO</li>
  <li>Where should I lose my tongue?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>In thy tale.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PANTHINO</li>
  <li class="number">In thy tail!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Lose the tide, and the voyage, and the master, and</li>
  <li>the service, and the tied! Why, man, if the river</li>
  <li>were dry, I am able to fill it with my tears; if the</li>
  <li>wind were down, I could drive the boat with my sighs.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PANTHINO</li>
  <li class="number">Come, come away, man; I was sent to call thee.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Sir, call me what thou darest.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PANTHINO</li>
  <li>Wilt thou go?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Well, I will go.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE IV.  Milan. The DUKE's palace.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter SILVIA, VALENTINE, THURIO, and SPEED</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>Servant!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Mistress?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Master, Sir Thurio frowns on you.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Ay, boy, it's for love.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li class="number">Not of you.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Of my mistress, then.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>'Twere good you knocked him.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>Servant, you are sad.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Indeed, madam, I seem so.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li class="number">Seem you that you are not?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Haply I do.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>So do counterfeits.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>So do you.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>What seem I that I am not?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">Wise.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>What instance of the contrary?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Your folly.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>And how quote you my folly?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>I quote it in your jerkin.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li class="number">My jerkin is a doublet.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Well, then, I'll double your folly.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>How?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>What, angry, Sir Thurio! do you change colour?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Give him leave, madam; he is a kind of chameleon.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li class="number">That hath more mind to feed on your blood than live</li>
  <li>in your air.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>You have said, sir.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>Ay, sir, and done too, for this time.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>I know it well, sir; you always end ere you begin.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li class="number">A fine volley of words, gentlemen, and quickly shot off.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>'Tis indeed, madam; we thank the giver.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>Who is that, servant?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Yourself, sweet lady; for you gave the fire. Sir</li>
  <li>Thurio borrows his wit from your ladyship's looks,</li>
  <li class="number">and spends what he borrows kindly in your company.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>Sir, if you spend word for word with me, I shall</li>
  <li>make your wit bankrupt.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>I know it well, sir; you have an exchequer of words,</li>
  <li>and, I think, no other treasure to give your</li>
  <li class="number">followers, for it appears by their bare liveries,</li>
  <li>that they live by your bare words.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>No more, gentlemen, no more: — here comes my father.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter DUKE</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>Now, daughter Silvia, you are hard beset.</li>
  <li>Sir Valentine, your father's in good health:</li>
  <li class="number">What say you to a letter from your friends</li>
  <li>Of much good news?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>My lord, I will be thankful.</li>
  <li>To any happy messenger from thence.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>Know ye Don Antonio, your countryman?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">Ay, my good lord, I know the gentleman</li>
  <li>To be of worth and worthy estimation</li>
  <li>And not without desert so well reputed.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>Hath he not a son?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Ay, my good lord; a son that well deserves</li>
  <li class="number">The honour and regard of such a father.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>You know him well?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>I know him as myself; for from our infancy</li>
  <li>We have conversed and spent our hours together:</li>
  <li>And though myself have been an idle truant,</li>
  <li class="number">Omitting the sweet benefit of time</li>
  <li>To clothe mine age with angel-like perfection,</li>
  <li>Yet hath Sir Proteus, for that's his name,</li>
  <li>Made use and fair advantage of his days;</li>
  <li>His years but young, but his experience old;</li>
  <li class="number">His head unmellow'd, but his judgment ripe;</li>
  <li>And, in a word, for far behind his worth</li>
  <li>Comes all the praises that I now bestow,</li>
  <li>He is complete in feature and in mind</li>
  <li>With all good grace to grace a gentleman.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li class="number">Beshrew me, sir, but if he make this good,</li>
  <li>He is as worthy for an empress' love</li>
  <li>As meet to be an emperor's counsellor.</li>
  <li>Well, sir, this gentleman is come to me,</li>
  <li>With commendation from great potentates;</li>
  <li class="number">And here he means to spend his time awhile:</li>
  <li>I think 'tis no unwelcome news to you.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Should I have wish'd a thing, it had been he.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>Welcome him then according to his worth.</li>
  <li>Silvia, I speak to you, and you, Sir Thurio;</li>
  <li class="number">For Valentine, I need not cite him to it:</li>
  <li>I will send him hither to you presently.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>This is the gentleman I told your ladyship</li>
  <li>Had come along with me, but that his mistress</li>
  <li>Did hold his eyes lock'd in her crystal looks.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li class="number">Belike that now she hath enfranchised them</li>
  <li>Upon some other pawn for fealty.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Nay, sure, I think she holds them prisoners still.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>Nay, then he should be blind; and, being blind</li>
  <li>How could he see his way to seek out you?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">Why, lady, Love hath twenty pair of eyes.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>They say that Love hath not an eye at all.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>To see such lovers, Thurio, as yourself:</li>
  <li>Upon a homely object Love can wink.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>Have done, have done; here comes the gentleman.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit THURIO</div>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter PROTEUS</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">Welcome, dear Proteus! Mistress, I beseech you,</li>
  <li>Confirm his welcome with some special favour.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>His worth is warrant for his welcome hither,</li>
  <li>If this be he you oft have wish'd to hear from.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Mistress, it is: sweet lady, entertain him</li>
  <li class="number">To be my fellow-servant to your ladyship.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>Too low a mistress for so high a servant.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Not so, sweet lady: but too mean a servant</li>
  <li>To have a look of such a worthy mistress.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Leave off discourse of disability:</li>
  <li class="number">Sweet lady, entertain him for your servant.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>My duty will I boast of; nothing else.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>And duty never yet did want his meed:</li>
  <li>Servant, you are welcome to a worthless mistress.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>I'll die on him that says so but yourself.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li class="number">That you are welcome?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>That you are worthless.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Re-enter THURIO</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>Madam, my lord your father would speak with you.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>I wait upon his pleasure. Come, Sir Thurio,</li>
  <li>Go with me. Once more, new servant, welcome:</li>
  <li class="number">I'll leave you to confer of home affairs;</li>
  <li>When you have done, we look to hear from you.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>We'll both attend upon your ladyship.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt SILVIA and THURIO</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Now, tell me, how do all from whence you came?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Your friends are well and have them much commended.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">And how do yours?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>I left them all in health.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>How does your lady? and how thrives your love?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>My tales of love were wont to weary you;</li>
  <li>I know you joy not in a love discourse.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">Ay, Proteus, but that life is alter'd now:</li>
  <li>I have done penance for contemning Love,</li>
  <li>Whose high imperious thoughts have punish'd me</li>
  <li>With bitter fasts, with penitential groans,</li>
  <li>With nightly tears and daily heart-sore sighs;</li>
  <li class="number">For in revenge of my contempt of love,</li>
  <li>Love hath chased sleep from my enthralled eyes</li>
  <li>And made them watchers of mine own heart's sorrow.</li>
  <li>O gentle Proteus, Love's a mighty lord,</li>
  <li>And hath so humbled me, as, I confess,</li>
  <li class="number">There is no woe to his correction,</li>
  <li>Nor to his service no such joy on earth.</li>
  <li>Now no discourse, except it be of love;</li>
  <li>Now can I break my fast, dine, sup and sleep,</li>
  <li>Upon the very naked name of love.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">Enough; I read your fortune in your eye.</li>
  <li>Was this the idol that you worship so?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Even she; and is she not a heavenly saint?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>No; but she is an earthly paragon.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Call her divine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">I will not flatter her.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>O, flatter me; for love delights in praises.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>When I was sick, you gave me bitter pills,</li>
  <li>And I must minister the like to you.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Then speak the truth by her; if not divine,</li>
  <li class="number">Yet let her be a principality,</li>
  <li>Sovereign to all the creatures on the earth.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Except my mistress.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Sweet, except not any;</li>
  <li>Except thou wilt except against my love.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">Have I not reason to prefer mine own?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>And I will help thee to prefer her too:</li>
  <li>She shall be dignified with this high honour — </li>
  <li>To bear my lady's train, lest the base earth</li>
  <li>Should from her vesture chance to steal a kiss</li>
  <li class="number">And, of so great a favour growing proud,</li>
  <li>Disdain to root the summer-swelling flower</li>
  <li>And make rough winter everlastingly.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Why, Valentine, what braggardism is this?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Pardon me, Proteus: all I can is nothing</li>
  <li class="number">To her whose worth makes other worthies nothing;</li>
  <li>She is alone.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Then let her alone.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Not for the world: why, man, she is mine own,</li>
  <li>And I as rich in having such a jewel</li>
  <li class="number">As twenty seas, if all their sand were pearl,</li>
  <li>The water nectar and the rocks pure gold.</li>
  <li>Forgive me that I do not dream on thee,</li>
  <li>Because thou see'st me dote upon my love.</li>
  <li>My foolish rival, that her father likes</li>
  <li class="number">Only for his possessions are so huge,</li>
  <li>Is gone with her along, and I must after,</li>
  <li>For love, thou know'st, is full of jealousy.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>But she loves you?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Ay, and we are betroth'd: nay, more, our,</li>
  <li class="number">marriage-hour,</li>
  <li>With all the cunning manner of our flight,</li>
  <li>Determined of; how I must climb her window,</li>
  <li>The ladder made of cords, and all the means</li>
  <li>Plotted and 'greed on for my happiness.</li>
  <li class="number">Good Proteus, go with me to my chamber,</li>
  <li>In these affairs to aid me with thy counsel.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Go on before; I shall inquire you forth:</li>
  <li>I must unto the road, to disembark</li>
  <li>Some necessaries that I needs must use,</li>
  <li class="number">And then I'll presently attend you.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Will you make haste?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>I will.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exit VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Even as one heat another heat expels,</li>
  <li>Or as one nail by strength drives out another,</li>
  <li class="number">So the remembrance of my former love</li>
  <li>Is by a newer object quite forgotten.</li>
  <li>Is it mine, or Valentine's praise,</li>
  <li>Her true perfection, or my false transgression,</li>
  <li>That makes me reasonless to reason thus?</li>
  <li class="number">She is fair; and so is Julia that I love — </li>
  <li>That I did love, for now my love is thaw'd;</li>
  <li>Which, like a waxen image, 'gainst a fire,</li>
  <li>Bears no impression of the thing it was.</li>
  <li>Methinks my zeal to Valentine is cold,</li>
  <li class="number">And that I love him not as I was wont.</li>
  <li>O, but I love his lady too too much,</li>
  <li>And that's the reason I love him so little.</li>
  <li>How shall I dote on her with more advice,</li>
  <li>That thus without advice begin to love her!</li>
  <li class="number">'Tis but her picture I have yet beheld,</li>
  <li>And that hath dazzled my reason's light;</li>
  <li>But when I look on her perfections,</li>
  <li>There is no reason but I shall be blind.</li>
  <li>If I can cheque my erring love, I will;</li>
  <li class="number">If not, to compass her I'll use my skill.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE V.  The same. A street.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter SPEED and LAUNCE severally</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Launce! by mine honesty, welcome to Milan!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Forswear not thyself, sweet youth, for I am not</li>
  <li>welcome. I reckon this always, that a man is never</li>
  <li>undone till he be hanged, nor never welcome to a</li>
  <li class="number">place till some certain shot be paid and the hostess</li>
  <li>say 'Welcome!'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Come on, you madcap, I'll to the alehouse with you</li>
  <li>presently; where, for one shot of five pence, thou</li>
  <li>shalt have five thousand welcomes. But, sirrah, how</li>
  <li class="number">did thy master part with Madam Julia?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Marry, after they closed in earnest, they parted very</li>
  <li>fairly in jest.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>But shall she marry him?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>No.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li class="number">How then? shall he marry her?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>No, neither.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>What, are they broken?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>No, they are both as whole as a fish.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Why, then, how stands the matter with them?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li class="number">Marry, thus: when it stands well with him, it</li>
  <li>stands well with her.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>What an ass art thou! I understand thee not.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>What a block art thou, that thou canst not! My</li>
  <li>staff understands me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li class="number">What thou sayest?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Ay, and what I do too: look thee, I'll but lean,</li>
  <li>and my staff understands me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>It stands under thee, indeed.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Why, stand-under and under-stand is all one.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li class="number">But tell me true, will't be a match?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Ask my dog: if he say ay, it will! if he say no,</li>
  <li>it will; if he shake his tail and say nothing, it will.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>The conclusion is then that it will.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Thou shalt never get such a secret from me but by a parable.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li class="number">'Tis well that I get it so. But, Launce, how sayest</li>
  <li>thou, that my master is become a notable lover?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>I never knew him otherwise.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Than how?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>A notable lubber, as thou reportest him to be.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li class="number">Why, thou whoreson ass, thou mistakest me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Why, fool, I meant not thee; I meant thy master.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>I tell thee, my master is become a hot lover.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Why, I tell thee, I care not though he burn himself</li>
  <li>in love. If thou wilt, go with me to the alehouse;</li>
  <li class="number">if not, thou art an Hebrew, a Jew, and not worth the</li>
  <li>name of a Christian.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Why?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Because thou hast not so much charity in thee as to</li>
  <li>go to the ale with a Christian. Wilt thou go?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li class="number">At thy service.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE VI.  The same. The DUKE'S palace.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter PROTEUS</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>To leave my Julia, shall I be forsworn;</li>
  <li>To love fair Silvia, shall I be forsworn;</li>
  <li>To wrong my friend, I shall be much forsworn;</li>
  <li>And even that power which gave me first my oath</li>
  <li class="number">Provokes me to this threefold perjury;</li>
  <li>Love bade me swear and Love bids me forswear.</li>
  <li>O sweet-suggesting Love, if thou hast sinned,</li>
  <li>Teach me, thy tempted subject, to excuse it!</li>
  <li>At first I did adore a twinkling star,</li>
  <li class="number">But now I worship a celestial sun.</li>
  <li>Unheedful vows may heedfully be broken,</li>
  <li>And he wants wit that wants resolved will</li>
  <li>To learn his wit to exchange the bad for better.</li>
  <li>Fie, fie, unreverend tongue! to call her bad,</li>
  <li class="number">Whose sovereignty so oft thou hast preferr'd</li>
  <li>With twenty thousand soul-confirming oaths.</li>
  <li>I cannot leave to love, and yet I do;</li>
  <li>But there I leave to love where I should love.</li>
  <li>Julia I lose and Valentine I lose:</li>
  <li class="number">If I keep them, I needs must lose myself;</li>
  <li>If I lose them, thus find I by their loss</li>
  <li>For Valentine myself, for Julia Silvia.</li>
  <li>I to myself am dearer than a friend,</li>
  <li>For love is still most precious in itself;</li>
  <li class="number">And Silvia — witness Heaven, that made her fair! — </li>
  <li>Shows Julia but a swarthy Ethiope.</li>
  <li>I will forget that Julia is alive,</li>
  <li>Remembering that my love to her is dead;</li>
  <li>And Valentine I'll hold an enemy,</li>
  <li class="number">Aiming at Silvia as a sweeter friend.</li>
  <li>I cannot now prove constant to myself,</li>
  <li>Without some treachery used to Valentine.</li>
  <li>This night he meaneth with a corded ladder</li>
  <li>To climb celestial Silvia's chamber-window,</li>
  <li class="number">Myself in counsel, his competitor.</li>
  <li>Now presently I'll give her father notice</li>
  <li>Of their disguising and pretended flight;</li>
  <li>Who, all enraged, will banish Valentine;</li>
  <li>For Thurio, he intends, shall wed his daughter;</li>
  <li class="number">But, Valentine being gone, I'll quickly cross</li>
  <li>By some sly trick blunt Thurio's dull proceeding.</li>
  <li>Love, lend me wings to make my purpose swift,</li>
  <li>As thou hast lent me wit to plot this drift!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE VII.  Verona. JULIA'S house.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter JULIA and LUCETTA</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Counsel, Lucetta; gentle girl, assist me;</li>
  <li>And even in kind love I do conjure thee,</li>
  <li>Who art the table wherein all my thoughts</li>
  <li>Are visibly character'd and engraved,</li>
  <li class="number">To lesson me and tell me some good mean</li>
  <li>How, with my honour, I may undertake</li>
  <li>A journey to my loving Proteus.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>Alas, the way is wearisome and long!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>A true-devoted pilgrim is not weary</li>
  <li class="number">To measure kingdoms with his feeble steps;</li>
  <li>Much less shall she that hath Love's wings to fly,</li>
  <li>And when the flight is made to one so dear,</li>
  <li>Of such divine perfection, as Sir Proteus.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>Better forbear till Proteus make return.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li class="number">O, know'st thou not his looks are my soul's food?</li>
  <li>Pity the dearth that I have pined in,</li>
  <li>By longing for that food so long a time.</li>
  <li>Didst thou but know the inly touch of love,</li>
  <li>Thou wouldst as soon go kindle fire with snow</li>
  <li class="number">As seek to quench the fire of love with words.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>I do not seek to quench your love's hot fire,</li>
  <li>But qualify the fire's extreme rage,</li>
  <li>Lest it should burn above the bounds of reason.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>The more thou damm'st it up, the more it burns.</li>
  <li class="number">The current that with gentle murmur glides,</li>
  <li>Thou know'st, being stopp'd, impatiently doth rage;</li>
  <li>But when his fair course is not hindered,</li>
  <li>He makes sweet music with the enamell'ed stones,</li>
  <li>Giving a gentle kiss to every sedge</li>
  <li class="number">He overtaketh in his pilgrimage,</li>
  <li>And so by many winding nooks he strays</li>
  <li>With willing sport to the wild ocean.</li>
  <li>Then let me go and hinder not my course</li>
  <li>I'll be as patient as a gentle stream</li>
  <li class="number">And make a pastime of each weary step,</li>
  <li>Till the last step have brought me to my love;</li>
  <li>And there I'll rest, as after much turmoil</li>
  <li>A blessed soul doth in Elysium.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>But in what habit will you go along?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li class="number">Not like a woman; for I would prevent</li>
  <li>The loose encounters of lascivious men:</li>
  <li>Gentle Lucetta, fit me with such weeds</li>
  <li>As may beseem some well-reputed page.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>Why, then, your ladyship must cut your hair.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li class="number">No, girl, I'll knit it up in silken strings</li>
  <li>With twenty odd-conceited true-love knots.</li>
  <li>To be fantastic may become a youth</li>
  <li>Of greater time than I shall show to be.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>What fashion, madam shall I make your breeches?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li class="number">That fits as well as 'Tell me, good my lord,</li>
  <li>What compass will you wear your farthingale?'</li>
  <li>Why even what fashion thou best likest, Lucetta.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>You must needs have them with a codpiece, madam.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Out, out, Lucetta! that would be ill-favour'd.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li class="number">A round hose, madam, now's not worth a pin,</li>
  <li>Unless you have a codpiece to stick pins on.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Lucetta, as thou lovest me, let me have</li>
  <li>What thou thinkest meet and is most mannerly.</li>
  <li>But tell me, wench, how will the world repute me</li>
  <li class="number">For undertaking so unstaid a journey?</li>
  <li>I fear me, it will make me scandalized.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>If you think so, then stay at home and go not.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Nay, that I will not.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>Then never dream on infamy, but go.</li>
  <li class="number">If Proteus like your journey when you come,</li>
  <li>No matter who's displeased when you are gone:</li>
  <li>I fear me, he will scarce be pleased withal.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>That is the least, Lucetta, of my fear:</li>
  <li>A thousand oaths, an ocean of his tears</li>
  <li class="number">And instances of infinite of love</li>
  <li>Warrant me welcome to my Proteus.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>All these are servants to deceitful men.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Base men, that use them to so base effect!</li>
  <li>But truer stars did govern Proteus' birth</li>
  <li class="number">His words are bonds, his oaths are oracles,</li>
  <li>His love sincere, his thoughts immaculate,</li>
  <li>His tears pure messengers sent from his heart,</li>
  <li>His heart as far from fraud as heaven from earth.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LUCETTA</li>
  <li>Pray heaven he prove so, when you come to him!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li class="number">Now, as thou lovest me, do him not that wrong</li>
  <li>To bear a hard opinion of his truth:</li>
  <li>Only deserve my love by loving him;</li>
  <li>And presently go with me to my chamber,</li>
  <li>To take a note of what I stand in need of,</li>
  <li class="number">To furnish me upon my longing journey.</li>
  <li>All that is mine I leave at thy dispose,</li>
  <li>My goods, my lands, my reputation;</li>
  <li>Only, in lieu thereof, dispatch me hence.</li>
  <li>Come, answer not, but to it presently!</li>
  <li class="number">I am impatient of my tarriance.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

</section>

<section class="act">

<h2>ACT III</h2>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE I.  Milan. The DUKE's palace.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter DUKE, THURIO, and PROTEUS</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>Sir Thurio, give us leave, I pray, awhile;</li>
  <li>We have some secrets to confer about.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exit THURIO</li>
  <li>Now, tell me, Proteus, what's your will with me?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>My gracious lord, that which I would discover</li>
  <li class="number">The law of friendship bids me to conceal;</li>
  <li>But when I call to mind your gracious favours</li>
  <li>Done to me, undeserving as I am,</li>
  <li>My duty pricks me on to utter that</li>
  <li>Which else no worldly good should draw from me.</li>
  <li class="number">Know, worthy prince, Sir Valentine, my friend,</li>
  <li>This night intends to steal away your daughter:</li>
  <li>Myself am one made privy to the plot.</li>
  <li>I know you have determined to bestow her</li>
  <li>On Thurio, whom your gentle daughter hates;</li>
  <li class="number">And should she thus be stol'n away from you,</li>
  <li>It would be much vexation to your age.</li>
  <li>Thus, for my duty's sake, I rather chose</li>
  <li>To cross my friend in his intended drift</li>
  <li>Than, by concealing it, heap on your head</li>
  <li class="number">A pack of sorrows which would press you down,</li>
  <li>Being unprevented, to your timeless grave.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>Proteus, I thank thee for thine honest care;</li>
  <li>Which to requite, command me while I live.</li>
  <li>This love of theirs myself have often seen,</li>
  <li class="number">Haply when they have judged me fast asleep,</li>
  <li>And oftentimes have purposed to forbid</li>
  <li>Sir Valentine her company and my court:</li>
  <li>But fearing lest my jealous aim might err</li>
  <li>And so unworthily disgrace the man,</li>
  <li class="number">A rashness that I ever yet have shunn'd,</li>
  <li>I gave him gentle looks, thereby to find</li>
  <li>That which thyself hast now disclosed to me.</li>
  <li>And, that thou mayst perceive my fear of this,</li>
  <li>Knowing that tender youth is soon suggested,</li>
  <li class="number">I nightly lodge her in an upper tower,</li>
  <li>The key whereof myself have ever kept;</li>
  <li>And thence she cannot be convey'd away.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Know, noble lord, they have devised a mean</li>
  <li>How he her chamber-window will ascend</li>
  <li class="number">And with a corded ladder fetch her down;</li>
  <li>For which the youthful lover now is gone</li>
  <li>And this way comes he with it presently;</li>
  <li>Where, if it please you, you may intercept him.</li>
  <li>But, good my Lord, do it so cunningly</li>
  <li class="number">That my discovery be not aimed at;</li>
  <li>For love of you, not hate unto my friend,</li>
  <li>Hath made me publisher of this pretence.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>Upon mine honour, he shall never know</li>
  <li>That I had any light from thee of this.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">Adieu, my Lord; Sir Valentine is coming.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter VALENTINE</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>Sir Valentine, whither away so fast?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Please it your grace, there is a messenger</li>
  <li>That stays to bear my letters to my friends,</li>
  <li>And I am going to deliver them.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li class="number">Be they of much import?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>The tenor of them doth but signify</li>
  <li>My health and happy being at your court.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>Nay then, no matter; stay with me awhile;</li>
  <li>I am to break with thee of some affairs</li>
  <li class="number">That touch me near, wherein thou must be secret.</li>
  <li>'Tis not unknown to thee that I have sought</li>
  <li>To match my friend Sir Thurio to my daughter.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>I know it well, my Lord; and, sure, the match</li>
  <li>Were rich and honourable; besides, the gentleman</li>
  <li class="number">Is full of virtue, bounty, worth and qualities</li>
  <li>Beseeming such a wife as your fair daughter:</li>
  <li>Cannot your Grace win her to fancy him?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>No, trust me; she is peevish, sullen, froward,</li>
  <li>Proud, disobedient, stubborn, lacking duty,</li>
  <li class="number">Neither regarding that she is my child</li>
  <li>Nor fearing me as if I were her father;</li>
  <li>And, may I say to thee, this pride of hers,</li>
  <li>Upon advice, hath drawn my love from her;</li>
  <li>And, where I thought the remnant of mine age</li>
  <li class="number">Should have been cherish'd by her child-like duty,</li>
  <li>I now am full resolved to take a wife</li>
  <li>And turn her out to who will take her in:</li>
  <li>Then let her beauty be her wedding-dower;</li>
  <li>For me and my possessions she esteems not.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">What would your Grace have me to do in this?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>There is a lady in Verona here</li>
  <li>Whom I affect; but she is nice and coy</li>
  <li>And nought esteems my aged eloquence:</li>
  <li>Now therefore would I have thee to my tutor — </li>
  <li class="number">For long agone I have forgot to court;</li>
  <li>Besides, the fashion of the time is changed — </li>
  <li>How and which way I may bestow myself</li>
  <li>To be regarded in her sun-bright eye.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Win her with gifts, if she respect not words:</li>
  <li class="number">Dumb jewels often in their silent kind</li>
  <li>More than quick words do move a woman's mind.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>But she did scorn a present that I sent her.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>A woman sometimes scorns what best contents her.</li>
  <li>Send her another; never give her o'er;</li>
  <li class="number">For scorn at first makes after-love the more.</li>
  <li>If she do frown, 'tis not in hate of you,</li>
  <li>But rather to beget more love in you:</li>
  <li>If she do chide, 'tis not to have you gone;</li>
  <li>For why, the fools are mad, if left alone.</li>
  <li class="number">Take no repulse, whatever she doth say;</li>
  <li>For 'get you gone,' she doth not mean 'away!'</li>
  <li>Flatter and praise, commend, extol their graces;</li>
  <li>Though ne'er so black, say they have angels' faces.</li>
  <li>That man that hath a tongue, I say, is no man,</li>
  <li class="number">If with his tongue he cannot win a woman.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>But she I mean is promised by her friends</li>
  <li>Unto a youthful gentleman of worth,</li>
  <li>And kept severely from resort of men,</li>
  <li>That no man hath access by day to her.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">Why, then, I would resort to her by night.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>Ay, but the doors be lock'd and keys kept safe,</li>
  <li>That no man hath recourse to her by night.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>What lets but one may enter at her window?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>Her chamber is aloft, far from the ground,</li>
  <li class="number">And built so shelving that one cannot climb it</li>
  <li>Without apparent hazard of his life.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Why then, a ladder quaintly made of cords,</li>
  <li>To cast up, with a pair of anchoring hooks,</li>
  <li>Would serve to scale another Hero's tower,</li>
  <li class="number">So bold Leander would adventure it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>Now, as thou art a gentleman of blood,</li>
  <li>Advise me where I may have such a ladder.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>When would you use it? pray, sir, tell me that.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>This very night; for Love is like a child,</li>
  <li class="number">That longs for every thing that he can come by.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>By seven o'clock I'll get you such a ladder.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>But, hark thee; I will go to her alone:</li>
  <li>How shall I best convey the ladder thither?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>It will be light, my lord, that you may bear it</li>
  <li class="number">Under a cloak that is of any length.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>A cloak as long as thine will serve the turn?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Ay, my good lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>Then let me see thy cloak:</li>
  <li>I'll get me one of such another length.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">Why, any cloak will serve the turn, my lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>How shall I fashion me to wear a cloak?</li>
  <li>I pray thee, let me feel thy cloak upon me.</li>
  <li>What letter is this same? What's here? 'To Silvia'!</li>
  <li>And here an engine fit for my proceeding.</li>
  <li class="number">I'll be so bold to break the seal for once.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Reads</li>
  <li>'My thoughts do harbour with my Silvia nightly,</li>
  <li>And slaves they are to me that send them flying:</li>
  <li>O, could their master come and go as lightly,</li>
  <li>Himself would lodge where senseless they are lying!</li>
  <li class="number">My herald thoughts in thy pure bosom rest them:</li>
  <li>While I, their king, that hither them importune,</li>
  <li>Do curse the grace that with such grace hath bless'd them,</li>
  <li>Because myself do want my servants' fortune:</li>
  <li>I curse myself, for they are sent by me,</li>
  <li class="number">That they should harbour where their lord would be.'</li>
  <li>What's here?</li>
  <li>'Silvia, this night I will enfranchise thee.'</li>
  <li>'Tis so; and here's the ladder for the purpose.</li>
  <li>Why, Phaeton —  for thou art Merops' son —  </li>
  <li class="number">Wilt thou aspire to guide the heavenly car</li>
  <li>And with thy daring folly burn the world?</li>
  <li>Wilt thou reach stars, because they shine on thee?</li>
  <li>Go, base intruder! overweening slave!</li>
  <li>Bestow thy fawning smiles on equal mates,</li>
  <li class="number">And think my patience, more than thy desert,</li>
  <li>Is privilege for thy departure hence:</li>
  <li>Thank me for this more than for all the favours</li>
  <li>Which all too much I have bestow'd on thee.</li>
  <li>But if thou linger in my territories</li>
  <li class="number">Longer than swiftest expedition</li>
  <li>Will give thee time to leave our royal court,</li>
  <li>By heaven! my wrath shall far exceed the love</li>
  <li>I ever bore my daughter or thyself.</li>
  <li>Be gone! I will not hear thy vain excuse;</li>
  <li class="number">But, as thou lovest thy life, make speed from hence.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>And why not death rather than living torment?</li>
  <li>To die is to be banish'd from myself;</li>
  <li>And Silvia is myself: banish'd from her</li>
  <li>Is self from self: a deadly banishment!</li>
  <li class="number">What light is light, if Silvia be not seen?</li>
  <li>What joy is joy, if Silvia be not by?</li>
  <li>Unless it be to think that she is by</li>
  <li>And feed upon the shadow of perfection</li>
  <li>Except I be by Silvia in the night,</li>
  <li class="number">There is no music in the nightingale;</li>
  <li>Unless I look on Silvia in the day,</li>
  <li>There is no day for me to look upon;</li>
  <li>She is my essence, and I leave to be,</li>
  <li>If I be not by her fair influence</li>
  <li class="number">Foster'd, illumined, cherish'd, kept alive.</li>
  <li>I fly not death, to fly his deadly doom:</li>
  <li>Tarry I here, I but attend on death:</li>
  <li>But, fly I hence, I fly away from life.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter PROTEUS and LAUNCE</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Run, boy, run, run, and seek him out.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li class="number">Soho, soho!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>What seest thou?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Him we go to find: there's not a hair on's head</li>
  <li>but 'tis a Valentine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Valentine?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">No.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Who then? his spirit?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Neither.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>What then?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Nothing.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li class="number">Can nothing speak? Master, shall I strike?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Who wouldst thou strike?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Nothing.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Villain, forbear.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Why, sir, I'll strike nothing: I pray you —  </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">Sirrah, I say, forbear. Friend Valentine, a word.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>My ears are stopt and cannot hear good news,</li>
  <li>So much of bad already hath possess'd them.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Then in dumb silence will I bury mine,</li>
  <li>For they are harsh, untuneable and bad.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">Is Silvia dead?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>No, Valentine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>No Valentine, indeed, for sacred Silvia.</li>
  <li>Hath she forsworn me?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>No, Valentine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">No Valentine, if Silvia have forsworn me.</li>
  <li>What is your news?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Sir, there is a proclamation that you are vanished.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>That thou art banished — O, that's the news! — </li>
  <li>From hence, from Silvia and from me thy friend.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">O, I have fed upon this woe already,</li>
  <li>And now excess of it will make me surfeit.</li>
  <li>Doth Silvia know that I am banished?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Ay, ay; and she hath offer'd to the doom — </li>
  <li>Which, unreversed, stands in effectual force — </li>
  <li class="number">A sea of melting pearl, which some call tears:</li>
  <li>Those at her father's churlish feet she tender'd;</li>
  <li>With them, upon her knees, her humble self;</li>
  <li>Wringing her hands, whose whiteness so became them</li>
  <li>As if but now they waxed pale for woe:</li>
  <li class="number">But neither bended knees, pure hands held up,</li>
  <li>Sad sighs, deep groans, nor silver-shedding tears,</li>
  <li>Could penetrate her uncompassionate sire;</li>
  <li>But Valentine, if he be ta'en, must die.</li>
  <li>Besides, her intercession chafed him so,</li>
  <li class="number">When she for thy repeal was suppliant,</li>
  <li>That to close prison he commanded her,</li>
  <li>With many bitter threats of biding there.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>No more; unless the next word that thou speak'st</li>
  <li>Have some malignant power upon my life:</li>
  <li class="number">If so, I pray thee, breathe it in mine ear,</li>
  <li>As ending anthem of my endless dolour.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Cease to lament for that thou canst not help,</li>
  <li>And study help for that which thou lament'st.</li>
  <li>Time is the nurse and breeder of all good.</li>
  <li class="number">Here if thou stay, thou canst not see thy love;</li>
  <li>Besides, thy staying will abridge thy life.</li>
  <li>Hope is a lover's staff; walk hence with that</li>
  <li>And manage it against despairing thoughts.</li>
  <li>Thy letters may be here, though thou art hence;</li>
  <li class="number">Which, being writ to me, shall be deliver'd</li>
  <li>Even in the milk-white bosom of thy love.</li>
  <li>The time now serves not to expostulate:</li>
  <li>Come, I'll convey thee through the city-gate;</li>
  <li>And, ere I part with thee, confer at large</li>
  <li class="number">Of all that may concern thy love-affairs.</li>
  <li>As thou lovest Silvia, though not for thyself,</li>
  <li>Regard thy danger, and along with me!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>I pray thee, Launce, an if thou seest my boy,</li>
  <li>Bid him make haste and meet me at the North-gate.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">Go, sirrah, find him out. Come, Valentine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>O my dear Silvia! Hapless Valentine!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt VALENTINE and PROTEUS</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>I am but a fool, look you; and yet I have the wit to</li>
  <li>think my master is a kind of a knave: but that's</li>
  <li>all one, if he be but one knave. He lives not now</li>
  <li class="number">that knows me to be in love; yet I am in love; but a</li>
  <li>team of horse shall not pluck that from me; nor who</li>
  <li>'tis I love; and yet 'tis a woman; but what woman, I</li>
  <li>will not tell myself; and yet 'tis a milkmaid; yet</li>
  <li>'tis not a maid, for she hath had gossips; yet 'tis</li>
  <li class="number">a maid, for she is her master's maid, and serves for</li>
  <li>wages. She hath more qualities than a water-spaniel;</li>
  <li>which is much in a bare Christian.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Pulling out a paper</li>
  <li>Here is the cate-log of her condition.</li>
  <li>'Imprimis: She can fetch and carry.' Why, a horse</li>
  <li class="number">can do no more: nay, a horse cannot fetch, but only</li>
  <li>carry; therefore is she better than a jade. 'Item:</li>
  <li>She can milk;' look you, a sweet virtue in a maid</li>
  <li>with clean hands.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter SPEED</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>How now, Signior Launce! what news with your</li>
  <li class="number">mastership?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>With my master's ship? why, it is at sea.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Well, your old vice still; mistake the word. What</li>
  <li>news, then, in your paper?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>The blackest news that ever thou heardest.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li class="number">Why, man, how black?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Why, as black as ink.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Let me read them.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Fie on thee, jolt-head! thou canst not read.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Thou liest; I can.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li class="number">I will try thee. Tell me this: who begot thee?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Marry, the son of my grandfather.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>O illiterate loiterer! it was the son of thy</li>
  <li>grandmother: this proves that thou canst not read.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Come, fool, come; try me in thy paper.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li class="number">There; and St. Nicholas be thy speed!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Reads  'Imprimis: She can milk.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Ay, that she can.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>'Item: She brews good ale.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>And thereof comes the proverb: 'Blessing of your</li>
  <li class="number">heart, you brew good ale.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>'Item: She can sew.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>That's as much as to say, Can she so?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>'Item: She can knit.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>What need a man care for a stock with a wench, when</li>
  <li class="number">she can knit him a stock?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>'Item: She can wash and scour.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>A special virtue: for then she need not be washed</li>
  <li>and scoured.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>'Item: She can spin.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li class="number">Then may I set the world on wheels, when she can</li>
  <li>spin for her living.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>'Item: She hath many nameless virtues.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>That's as much as to say, bastard virtues; that,</li>
  <li>indeed, know not their fathers and therefore have no names.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li class="number">'Here follow her vices.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Close at the heels of her virtues.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>'Item: She is not to be kissed fasting in respect</li>
  <li>of her breath.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Well, that fault may be mended with a breakfast. Read on.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li class="number">'Item: She hath a sweet mouth.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>That makes amends for her sour breath.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>'Item: She doth talk in her sleep.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>It's no matter for that, so she sleep not in her talk.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>'Item: She is slow in words.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li class="number">O villain, that set this down among her vices! To</li>
  <li>be slow in words is a woman's only virtue: I pray</li>
  <li>thee, out with't, and place it for her chief virtue.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>'Item: She is proud.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Out with that too; it was Eve's legacy, and cannot</li>
  <li class="number">be ta'en from her.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>'Item: She hath no teeth.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>I care not for that neither, because I love crusts.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>'Item: She is curst.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Well, the best is, she hath no teeth to bite.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li class="number">'Item: She will often praise her liquor.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>If her liquor be good, she shall: if she will not, I</li>
  <li>will; for good things should be praised.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>'Item: She is too liberal.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Of her tongue she cannot, for that's writ down she</li>
  <li class="number">is slow of; of her purse she shall not, for that</li>
  <li>I'll keep shut: now, of another thing she may, and</li>
  <li>that cannot I help. Well, proceed.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>'Item: She hath more hair than wit, and more faults</li>
  <li>than hairs, and more wealth than faults.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li class="number">Stop there; I'll have her: she was mine, and not</li>
  <li>mine, twice or thrice in that last article.</li>
  <li>Rehearse that once more.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>'Item: She hath more hair than wit,' — </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>More hair than wit? It may be; I'll prove it. The</li>
  <li class="number">cover of the salt hides the salt, and therefore it</li>
  <li>is more than the salt; the hair that covers the wit</li>
  <li>is more than the wit, for the greater hides the</li>
  <li>less. What's next?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>'And more faults than hairs,' — </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li class="number">That's monstrous: O, that that were out!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>'And more wealth than faults.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Why, that word makes the faults gracious. Well,</li>
  <li>I'll have her; and if it be a match, as nothing is</li>
  <li>impossible —  </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li class="number">What then?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Why, then will I tell thee — that thy master stays</li>
  <li>for thee at the North-gate.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>For me?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>For thee! ay, who art thou? he hath stayed for a</li>
  <li class="number">better man than thee.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>And must I go to him?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Thou must run to him, for thou hast stayed so long</li>
  <li>that going will scarce serve the turn.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Why didst not tell me sooner? pox of your love letters!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li class="number">Now will he be swinged for reading my letter; an</li>
  <li>unmannerly slave, that will thrust himself into</li>
  <li>secrets! I'll after, to rejoice in the boy's correction.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE II.  The same. The DUKE's palace.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter DUKE and THURIO</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>Sir Thurio, fear not but that she will love you,</li>
  <li>Now Valentine is banish'd from her sight.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>Since his exile she hath despised me most,</li>
  <li>Forsworn my company and rail'd at me,</li>
  <li class="number">That I am desperate of obtaining her.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>This weak impress of love is as a figure</li>
  <li>Trenched in ice, which with an hour's heat</li>
  <li>Dissolves to water and doth lose his form.</li>
  <li>A little time will melt her frozen thoughts</li>
  <li class="number">And worthless Valentine shall be forgot.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Enter PROTEUS</li>
  <li>How now, Sir Proteus! Is your countryman</li>
  <li>According to our proclamation gone?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Gone, my good lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>My daughter takes his going grievously.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">A little time, my lord, will kill that grief.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>So I believe; but Thurio thinks not so.</li>
  <li>Proteus, the good conceit I hold of thee — </li>
  <li>For thou hast shown some sign of good desert — </li>
  <li>Makes me the better to confer with thee.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">Longer than I prove loyal to your grace</li>
  <li>Let me not live to look upon your grace.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>Thou know'st how willingly I would effect</li>
  <li>The match between Sir Thurio and my daughter.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>I do, my lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li class="number">And also, I think, thou art not ignorant</li>
  <li>How she opposes her against my will</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>She did, my lord, when Valentine was here.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>Ay, and perversely she persevers so.</li>
  <li>What might we do to make the girl forget</li>
  <li class="number">The love of Valentine and love Sir Thurio?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>The best way is to slander Valentine</li>
  <li>With falsehood, cowardice and poor descent,</li>
  <li>Three things that women highly hold in hate.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>Ay, but she'll think that it is spoke in hate.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">Ay, if his enemy deliver it:</li>
  <li>Therefore it must with circumstance be spoken</li>
  <li>By one whom she esteemeth as his friend.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>Then you must undertake to slander him.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>And that, my lord, I shall be loath to do:</li>
  <li class="number">'Tis an ill office for a gentleman,</li>
  <li>Especially against his very friend.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>Where your good word cannot advantage him,</li>
  <li>Your slander never can endamage him;</li>
  <li>Therefore the office is indifferent,</li>
  <li class="number">Being entreated to it by your friend.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>You have prevail'd, my lord; if I can do it</li>
  <li>By ought that I can speak in his dispraise,</li>
  <li>She shall not long continue love to him.</li>
  <li>But say this weed her love from Valentine,</li>
  <li class="number">It follows not that she will love Sir Thurio.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>Therefore, as you unwind her love from him,</li>
  <li>Lest it should ravel and be good to none,</li>
  <li>You must provide to bottom it on me;</li>
  <li>Which must be done by praising me as much</li>
  <li class="number">As you in worth dispraise Sir Valentine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>And, Proteus, we dare trust you in this kind,</li>
  <li>Because we know, on Valentine's report,</li>
  <li>You are already Love's firm votary</li>
  <li>And cannot soon revolt and change your mind.</li>
  <li class="number">Upon this warrant shall you have access</li>
  <li>Where you with Silvia may confer at large;</li>
  <li>For she is lumpish, heavy, melancholy,</li>
  <li>And, for your friend's sake, will be glad of you;</li>
  <li>Where you may temper her by your persuasion</li>
  <li class="number">To hate young Valentine and love my friend.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>As much as I can do, I will effect:</li>
  <li>But you, Sir Thurio, are not sharp enough;</li>
  <li>You must lay lime to tangle her desires</li>
  <li>By wailful sonnets, whose composed rhymes</li>
  <li class="number">Should be full-fraught with serviceable vows.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>Ay,</li>
  <li>Much is the force of heaven-bred poesy.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Say that upon the altar of her beauty</li>
  <li>You sacrifice your tears, your sighs, your heart:</li>
  <li class="number">Write till your ink be dry, and with your tears</li>
  <li>Moist it again, and frame some feeling line</li>
  <li>That may discover such integrity:</li>
  <li>For Orpheus' lute was strung with poets' sinews,</li>
  <li>Whose golden touch could soften steel and stones,</li>
  <li class="number">Make tigers tame and huge leviathans</li>
  <li>Forsake unsounded deeps to dance on sands.</li>
  <li>After your dire-lamenting elegies,</li>
  <li>Visit by night your lady's chamber-window</li>
  <li>With some sweet concert; to their instruments</li>
  <li class="number">Tune a deploring dump: the night's dead silence</li>
  <li>Will well become such sweet-complaining grievance.</li>
  <li>This, or else nothing, will inherit her.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>This discipline shows thou hast been in love.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>And thy advice this night I'll put in practise.</li>
  <li class="number">Therefore, sweet Proteus, my direction-giver,</li>
  <li>Let us into the city presently</li>
  <li>To sort some gentlemen well skill'd in music.</li>
  <li>I have a sonnet that will serve the turn</li>
  <li>To give the onset to thy good advice.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li class="number">About it, gentlemen!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>We'll wait upon your grace till after supper,</li>
  <li>And afterward determine our proceedings.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>Even now about it! I will pardon you.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

</section>

<section class="act">

<h2>ACT IV</h2>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE I.  The frontiers of Mantua. A forest.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter certain Outlaws</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Outlaw</li>
  <li>Fellows, stand fast; I see a passenger.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Outlaw</li>
  <li>If there be ten, shrink not, but down with 'em.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter VALENTINE and SPEED</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Third Outlaw</li>
  <li>Stand, sir, and throw us that you have about ye:</li>
  <li>If not: we'll make you sit and rifle you.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li class="number">Sir, we are undone; these are the villains</li>
  <li>That all the travellers do fear so much.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>My friends —  </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Outlaw</li>
  <li>That's not so, sir: we are your enemies.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Outlaw</li>
  <li>Peace! we'll hear him.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Third Outlaw</li>
  <li class="number">Ay, by my beard, will we, for he's a proper man.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Then know that I have little wealth to lose:</li>
  <li>A man I am cross'd with adversity;</li>
  <li>My riches are these poor habiliments,</li>
  <li>Of which if you should here disfurnish me,</li>
  <li class="number">You take the sum and substance that I have.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Outlaw</li>
  <li>Whither travel you?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>To Verona.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Outlaw</li>
  <li>Whence came you?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>From Milan.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Third Outlaw</li>
  <li class="number">Have you long sojourned there?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Some sixteen months, and longer might have stay'd,</li>
  <li>If crooked fortune had not thwarted me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Outlaw</li>
  <li>What, were you banish'd thence?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>I was.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Outlaw</li>
  <li class="number">For what offence?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>For that which now torments me to rehearse:</li>
  <li>I kill'd a man, whose death I much repent;</li>
  <li>But yet I slew him manfully in fight,</li>
  <li>Without false vantage or base treachery.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Outlaw</li>
  <li class="number">Why, ne'er repent it, if it were done so.</li>
  <li>But were you banish'd for so small a fault?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>I was, and held me glad of such a doom.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Outlaw</li>
  <li>Have you the tongues?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>My youthful travel therein made me happy,</li>
  <li class="number">Or else I often had been miserable.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Third Outlaw</li>
  <li>By the bare scalp of Robin Hood's fat friar,</li>
  <li>This fellow were a king for our wild faction!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Outlaw</li>
  <li>We'll have him. Sirs, a word.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SPEED</li>
  <li>Master, be one of them; it's an honourable kind of thievery.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">Peace, villain!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Outlaw</li>
  <li>Tell us this: have you any thing to take to?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Nothing but my fortune.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Third Outlaw</li>
  <li>Know, then, that some of us are gentlemen,</li>
  <li>Such as the fury of ungovern'd youth</li>
  <li class="number">Thrust from the company of awful men:</li>
  <li>Myself was from Verona banished</li>
  <li>For practising to steal away a lady,</li>
  <li>An heir, and near allied unto the duke.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Outlaw</li>
  <li>And I from Mantua, for a gentleman,</li>
  <li class="number">Who, in my mood, I stabb'd unto the heart.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Outlaw</li>
  <li>And I for such like petty crimes as these,</li>
  <li>But to the purpose — for we cite our faults,</li>
  <li>That they may hold excus'd our lawless lives;</li>
  <li>And partly, seeing you are beautified</li>
  <li class="number">With goodly shape and by your own report</li>
  <li>A linguist and a man of such perfection</li>
  <li>As we do in our quality much want — </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Outlaw</li>
  <li>Indeed, because you are a banish'd man,</li>
  <li>Therefore, above the rest, we parley to you:</li>
  <li class="number">Are you content to be our general?</li>
  <li>To make a virtue of necessity</li>
  <li>And live, as we do, in this wilderness?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Third Outlaw</li>
  <li>What say'st thou? wilt thou be of our consort?</li>
  <li>Say ay, and be the captain of us all:</li>
  <li class="number">We'll do thee homage and be ruled by thee,</li>
  <li>Love thee as our commander and our king.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Outlaw</li>
  <li>But if thou scorn our courtesy, thou diest.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Outlaw</li>
  <li>Thou shalt not live to brag what we have offer'd.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>I take your offer and will live with you,</li>
  <li class="number">Provided that you do no outrages</li>
  <li>On silly women or poor passengers.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Third Outlaw</li>
  <li>No, we detest such vile base practises.</li>
  <li>Come, go with us, we'll bring thee to our crews,</li>
  <li>And show thee all the treasure we have got,</li>
  <li class="number">Which, with ourselves, all rest at thy dispose.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE II.  Milan. Outside the DUKE's palace, under SILVIA's chamber.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter PROTEUS</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Already have I been false to Valentine</li>
  <li>And now I must be as unjust to Thurio.</li>
  <li>Under the colour of commending him,</li>
  <li>I have access my own love to prefer:</li>
  <li class="number">But Silvia is too fair, too true, too holy,</li>
  <li>To be corrupted with my worthless gifts.</li>
  <li>When I protest true loyalty to her,</li>
  <li>She twits me with my falsehood to my friend;</li>
  <li>When to her beauty I commend my vows,</li>
  <li class="number">She bids me think how I have been forsworn</li>
  <li>In breaking faith with Julia whom I loved:</li>
  <li>And notwithstanding all her sudden quips,</li>
  <li>The least whereof would quell a lover's hope,</li>
  <li>Yet, spaniel-like, the more she spurns my love,</li>
  <li class="number">The more it grows and fawneth on her still.</li>
  <li>But here comes Thurio: now must we to her window,</li>
  <li>And give some evening music to her ear.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter THURIO and Musicians</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>How now, Sir Proteus, are you crept before us?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Ay, gentle Thurio: for you know that love</li>
  <li class="number">Will creep in service where it cannot go.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>Ay, but I hope, sir, that you love not here.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Sir, but I do; or else I would be hence.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>Who? Silvia?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Ay, Silvia; for your sake.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li class="number">I thank you for your own. Now, gentlemen,</li>
  <li>Let's tune, and to it lustily awhile.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter, at a distance, Host, and JULIA in boy's clothes</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Host</li>
  <li>Now, my young guest, methinks you're allycholly: I</li>
  <li>pray you, why is it?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Marry, mine host, because I cannot be merry.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Host</li>
  <li class="number">Come, we'll have you merry: I'll bring you where</li>
  <li>you shall hear music and see the gentleman that you asked for.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>But shall I hear him speak?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Host</li>
  <li>Ay, that you shall.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>That will be music.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Music plays</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Host</li>
  <li class="number">Hark, hark!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Is he among these?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Host</li>
  <li>Ay: but, peace! let's hear 'em.</li>
  <li class="subhead">SONG.</li>
  <li>Who is Silvia? what is she,</li>
  <li>That all our swains commend her?</li>
  <li class="number">Holy, fair and wise is she;</li>
  <li>The heaven such grace did lend her,</li>
  <li>That she might admired be.</li>
  <li>Is she kind as she is fair?</li>
  <li>For beauty lives with kindness.</li>
  <li class="number">Love doth to her eyes repair,</li>
  <li>To help him of his blindness,</li>
  <li>And, being help'd, inhabits there.</li>
  <li>Then to Silvia let us sing,</li>
  <li>That Silvia is excelling;</li>
  <li class="number">She excels each mortal thing</li>
  <li>Upon the dull earth dwelling:</li>
  <li>To her let us garlands bring.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Host</li>
  <li>How now! are you sadder than you were before? How</li>
  <li>do you, man? the music likes you not.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li class="number">You mistake; the musician likes me not.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Host</li>
  <li>Why, my pretty youth?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>He plays false, father.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Host</li>
  <li>How? out of tune on the strings?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Not so; but yet so false that he grieves my very</li>
  <li class="number">heart-strings.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Host</li>
  <li>You have a quick ear.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Ay, I would I were deaf; it makes me have a slow heart.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Host</li>
  <li>I perceive you delight not in music.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Not a whit, when it jars so.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Host</li>
  <li class="number">Hark, what fine change is in the music!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Ay, that change is the spite.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Host</li>
  <li>You would have them always play but one thing?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>I would always have one play but one thing.</li>
  <li>But, host, doth this Sir Proteus that we talk on</li>
  <li class="number">Often resort unto this gentlewoman?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Host</li>
  <li>I tell you what Launce, his man, told me: he loved</li>
  <li>her out of all nick.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Where is Launce?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Host</li>
  <li>Gone to seek his dog; which tomorrow, by his</li>
  <li class="number">master's command, he must carry for a present to his lady.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Peace! stand aside: the company parts.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Sir Thurio, fear not you: I will so plead</li>
  <li>That you shall say my cunning drift excels.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>Where meet we?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">At Saint Gregory's well.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>Farewell.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt THURIO and Musicians</div>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter SILVIA above</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Madam, good even to your ladyship.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>I thank you for your music, gentlemen.</li>
  <li>Who is that that spake?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">One, lady, if you knew his pure heart's truth,</li>
  <li>You would quickly learn to know him by his voice.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>Sir Proteus, as I take it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Sir Proteus, gentle lady, and your servant.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>What's your will?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">That I may compass yours.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>You have your wish; my will is even this:</li>
  <li>That presently you hie you home to bed.</li>
  <li>Thou subtle, perjured, false, disloyal man!</li>
  <li>Think'st thou I am so shallow, so conceitless,</li>
  <li class="number">To be seduced by thy flattery,</li>
  <li>That hast deceived so many with thy vows?</li>
  <li>Return, return, and make thy love amends.</li>
  <li>For me, by this pale queen of night I swear,</li>
  <li>I am so far from granting thy request</li>
  <li class="number">That I despise thee for thy wrongful suit,</li>
  <li>And by and by intend to chide myself</li>
  <li>Even for this time I spend in talking to thee.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>I grant, sweet love, that I did love a lady;</li>
  <li>But she is dead.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li class="number">Aside        'Twere false, if I should speak it;</li>
  <li>For I am sure she is not buried.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>Say that she be; yet Valentine thy friend</li>
  <li>Survives; to whom, thyself art witness,</li>
  <li>I am betroth'd: and art thou not ashamed</li>
  <li class="number">To wrong him with thy importunacy?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>I likewise hear that Valentine is dead.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>And so suppose am I; for in his grave</li>
  <li>Assure thyself my love is buried.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Sweet lady, let me rake it from the earth.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li class="number">Go to thy lady's grave and call hers thence,</li>
  <li>Or, at the least, in hers sepulchre thine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Aside  He heard not that.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Madam, if your heart be so obdurate,</li>
  <li>Vouchsafe me yet your picture for my love,</li>
  <li class="number">The picture that is hanging in your chamber;</li>
  <li>To that I'll speak, to that I'll sigh and weep:</li>
  <li>For since the substance of your perfect self</li>
  <li>Is else devoted, I am but a shadow;</li>
  <li>And to your shadow will I make true love.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li class="number">Aside  If 'twere a substance, you would, sure,</li>
  <li>deceive it,</li>
  <li>And make it but a shadow, as I am.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>I am very loath to be your idol, sir;</li>
  <li>But since your falsehood shall become you well</li>
  <li class="number">To worship shadows and adore false shapes,</li>
  <li>Send to me in the morning and I'll send it:</li>
  <li>And so, good rest.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>As wretches have o'ernight</li>
  <li>That wait for execution in the morn.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt PROTEUS and SILVIA severally</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li class="number">Host, will you go?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Host</li>
  <li>By my halidom, I was fast asleep.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Pray you, where lies Sir Proteus?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Host</li>
  <li>Marry, at my house. Trust me, I think 'tis almost</li>
  <li>day.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li class="number">Not so; but it hath been the longest night</li>
  <li>That e'er I watch'd and the most heaviest.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE III.  The same.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter EGLAMOUR</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EGLAMOUR</li>
  <li>This is the hour that Madam Silvia</li>
  <li>Entreated me to call and know her mind:</li>
  <li>There's some great matter she'ld employ me in.</li>
  <li>Madam, madam!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter SILVIA above</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li class="number">Who calls?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EGLAMOUR</li>
  <li>Your servant and your friend;</li>
  <li>One that attends your ladyship's command.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>Sir Eglamour, a thousand times good morrow.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EGLAMOUR</li>
  <li>As many, worthy lady, to yourself:</li>
  <li class="number">According to your ladyship's impose,</li>
  <li>I am thus early come to know what service</li>
  <li>It is your pleasure to command me in.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>O Eglamour, thou art a gentleman — </li>
  <li>Think not I flatter, for I swear I do not — </li>
  <li class="number">Valiant, wise, remorseful, well accomplish'd:</li>
  <li>Thou art not ignorant what dear good will</li>
  <li>I bear unto the banish'd Valentine,</li>
  <li>Nor how my father would enforce me marry</li>
  <li>Vain Thurio, whom my very soul abhors.</li>
  <li class="number">Thyself hast loved; and I have heard thee say</li>
  <li>No grief did ever come so near thy heart</li>
  <li>As when thy lady and thy true love died,</li>
  <li>Upon whose grave thou vow'dst pure chastity.</li>
  <li>Sir Eglamour, I would to Valentine,</li>
  <li class="number">To Mantua, where I hear he makes abode;</li>
  <li>And, for the ways are dangerous to pass,</li>
  <li>I do desire thy worthy company,</li>
  <li>Upon whose faith and honour I repose.</li>
  <li>Urge not my father's anger, Eglamour,</li>
  <li class="number">But think upon my grief, a lady's grief,</li>
  <li>And on the justice of my flying hence,</li>
  <li>To keep me from a most unholy match,</li>
  <li>Which heaven and fortune still rewards with plagues.</li>
  <li>I do desire thee, even from a heart</li>
  <li class="number">As full of sorrows as the sea of sands,</li>
  <li>To bear me company and go with me:</li>
  <li>If not, to hide what I have said to thee,</li>
  <li>That I may venture to depart alone.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EGLAMOUR</li>
  <li>Madam, I pity much your grievances;</li>
  <li class="number">Which since I know they virtuously are placed,</li>
  <li>I give consent to go along with you,</li>
  <li>Recking as little what betideth me</li>
  <li>As much I wish all good befortune you.</li>
  <li>When will you go?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li class="number">This evening coming.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EGLAMOUR</li>
  <li>Where shall I meet you?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>At Friar Patrick's cell,</li>
  <li>Where I intend holy confession.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EGLAMOUR</li>
  <li>I will not fail your ladyship. Good morrow, gentle lady.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li class="number">Good morrow, kind Sir Eglamour.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt severally</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE IV.  The same.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter LAUNCE, with his his Dog</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>When a man's servant shall play the cur with him,</li>
  <li>look you, it goes hard: one that I brought up of a</li>
  <li>puppy; one that I saved from drowning, when three or</li>
  <li>four of his blind brothers and sisters went to it.</li>
  <li class="number">I have taught him, even as one would say precisely,</li>
  <li>'thus I would teach a dog.' I was sent to deliver</li>
  <li>him as a present to Mistress Silvia from my master;</li>
  <li>and I came no sooner into the dining-chamber but he</li>
  <li>steps me to her trencher and steals her capon's leg:</li>
  <li class="number">O, 'tis a foul thing when a cur cannot keep himself</li>
  <li>in all companies! I would have, as one should say,</li>
  <li>one that takes upon him to be a dog indeed, to be,</li>
  <li>as it were, a dog at all things. If I had not had</li>
  <li>more wit than he, to take a fault upon me that he did,</li>
  <li class="number">I think verily he had been hanged for't; sure as I</li>
  <li>live, he had suffered for't; you shall judge. He</li>
  <li>thrusts me himself into the company of three or four</li>
  <li>gentlemanlike dogs under the duke's table: he had</li>
  <li>not been there — bless the mark! — a pissing while, but</li>
  <li class="number">all the chamber smelt him. 'Out with the dog!' says</li>
  <li>one: 'What cur is that?' says another: 'Whip him</li>
  <li>out' says the third: 'Hang him up' says the duke.</li>
  <li>I, having been acquainted with the smell before,</li>
  <li>knew it was Crab, and goes me to the fellow that</li>
  <li class="number">whips the dogs: 'Friend,' quoth I, 'you mean to whip</li>
  <li>the dog?' 'Ay, marry, do I,' quoth he. 'You do him</li>
  <li>the more wrong,' quoth I; ''twas I did the thing you</li>
  <li>wot of.' He makes me no more ado, but whips me out</li>
  <li>of the chamber. How many masters would do this for</li>
  <li class="number">his servant? Nay, I'll be sworn, I have sat in the</li>
  <li>stocks for puddings he hath stolen, otherwise he had</li>
  <li>been executed; I have stood on the pillory for geese</li>
  <li>he hath killed, otherwise he had suffered for't.</li>
  <li>Thou thinkest not of this now. Nay, I remember the</li>
  <li class="number">trick you served me when I took my leave of Madam</li>
  <li>Silvia: did not I bid thee still mark me and do as I</li>
  <li>do? when didst thou see me heave up my leg and make</li>
  <li>water against a gentlewoman's farthingale? didst</li>
  <li>thou ever see me do such a trick?</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter PROTEUS and JULIA</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">Sebastian is thy name? I like thee well</li>
  <li>And will employ thee in some service presently.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>In what you please: I'll do what I can.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>I hope thou wilt.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">To LAUNCE</li>
  <li>How now, you whoreson peasant!</li>
  <li class="number">Where have you been these two days loitering?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Marry, sir, I carried Mistress Silvia the dog you bade me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>And what says she to my little jewel?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Marry, she says your dog was a cur, and tells you</li>
  <li>currish thanks is good enough for such a present.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">But she received my dog?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>No, indeed, did she not: here have I brought him</li>
  <li>back again.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>What, didst thou offer her this from me?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LAUNCE</li>
  <li>Ay, sir: the other squirrel was stolen from me by</li>
  <li class="number">the hangman boys in the market-place: and then I</li>
  <li>offered her mine own, who is a dog as big as ten of</li>
  <li>yours, and therefore the gift the greater.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Go get thee hence, and find my dog again,</li>
  <li>Or ne'er return again into my sight.</li>
  <li class="number">Away, I say! stay'st thou to vex me here?</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exit LAUNCE</li>
  <li>A slave, that still an end turns me to shame!</li>
  <li>Sebastian, I have entertained thee,</li>
  <li>Partly that I have need of such a youth</li>
  <li>That can with some discretion do my business,</li>
  <li class="number">For 'tis no trusting to yond foolish lout,</li>
  <li>But chiefly for thy face and thy behavior,</li>
  <li>Which, if my augury deceive me not,</li>
  <li>Witness good bringing up, fortune and truth:</li>
  <li>Therefore know thou, for this I entertain thee.</li>
  <li class="number">Go presently and take this ring with thee,</li>
  <li>Deliver it to Madam Silvia:</li>
  <li>She loved me well deliver'd it to me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>It seems you loved not her, to leave her token.</li>
  <li>She is dead, belike?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">Not so; I think she lives.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Alas!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Why dost thou cry 'alas'?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>I cannot choose</li>
  <li>But pity her.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">Wherefore shouldst thou pity her?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Because methinks that she loved you as well</li>
  <li>As you do love your lady Silvia:</li>
  <li>She dreams of him that has forgot her love;</li>
  <li>You dote on her that cares not for your love.</li>
  <li class="number">'Tis pity love should be so contrary;</li>
  <li>And thinking of it makes me cry 'alas!'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Well, give her that ring and therewithal</li>
  <li>This letter. That's her chamber. Tell my lady</li>
  <li>I claim the promise for her heavenly picture.</li>
  <li class="number">Your message done, hie home unto my chamber,</li>
  <li>Where thou shalt find me, sad and solitary.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>How many women would do such a message?</li>
  <li>Alas, poor Proteus! thou hast entertain'd</li>
  <li>A fox to be the shepherd of thy lambs.</li>
  <li class="number">Alas, poor fool! why do I pity him</li>
  <li>That with his very heart despiseth me?</li>
  <li>Because he loves her, he despiseth me;</li>
  <li>Because I love him I must pity him.</li>
  <li>This ring I gave him when he parted from me,</li>
  <li class="number">To bind him to remember my good will;</li>
  <li>And now am I, unhappy messenger,</li>
  <li>To plead for that which I would not obtain,</li>
  <li>To carry that which I would have refused,</li>
  <li>To praise his faith which I would have dispraised.</li>
  <li class="number">I am my master's true-confirmed love;</li>
  <li>But cannot be true servant to my master,</li>
  <li>Unless I prove false traitor to myself.</li>
  <li>Yet will I woo for him, but yet so coldly</li>
  <li>As, heaven it knows, I would not have him speed.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Enter SILVIA, attended</li>
  <li class="number">Gentlewoman, good day! I pray you, be my mean</li>
  <li>To bring me where to speak with Madam Silvia.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>What would you with her, if that I be she?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>If you be she, I do entreat your patience</li>
  <li>To hear me speak the message I am sent on.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li class="number">From whom?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>From my master, Sir Proteus, madam.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>O, he sends you for a picture.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Ay, madam.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>Ursula, bring my picture here.</li>
  <li class="number">Go give your master this: tell him from me,</li>
  <li>One Julia, that his changing thoughts forget,</li>
  <li>Would better fit his chamber than this shadow.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Madam, please you peruse this letter. — </li>
  <li>Pardon me, madam; I have unadvised</li>
  <li class="number">Deliver'd you a paper that I should not:</li>
  <li>This is the letter to your ladyship.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>I pray thee, let me look on that again.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>It may not be; good madam, pardon me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>There, hold!</li>
  <li class="number">I will not look upon your master's lines:</li>
  <li>I know they are stuff'd with protestations</li>
  <li>And full of new-found oaths; which he will break</li>
  <li>As easily as I do tear his paper.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Madam, he sends your ladyship this ring.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li class="number">The more shame for him that he sends it me;</li>
  <li>For I have heard him say a thousand times</li>
  <li>His Julia gave it him at his departure.</li>
  <li>Though his false finger have profaned the ring,</li>
  <li>Mine shall not do his Julia so much wrong.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li class="number">She thanks you.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>What say'st thou?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>I thank you, madam, that you tender her.</li>
  <li>Poor gentlewoman! my master wrongs her much.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>Dost thou know her?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li class="number">Almost as well as I do know myself:</li>
  <li>To think upon her woes I do protest</li>
  <li>That I have wept a hundred several times.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>Belike she thinks that Proteus hath forsook her.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>I think she doth; and that's her cause of sorrow.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li class="number">Is she not passing fair?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>She hath been fairer, madam, than she is:</li>
  <li>When she did think my master loved her well,</li>
  <li>She, in my judgment, was as fair as you:</li>
  <li>But since she did neglect her looking-glass</li>
  <li class="number">And threw her sun-expelling mask away,</li>
  <li>The air hath starved the roses in her cheeks</li>
  <li>And pinch'd the lily-tincture of her face,</li>
  <li>That now she is become as black as I.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>How tall was she?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li class="number">About my stature; for at Pentecost,</li>
  <li>When all our pageants of delight were play'd,</li>
  <li>Our youth got me to play the woman's part,</li>
  <li>And I was trimm'd in Madam Julia's gown,</li>
  <li>Which served me as fit, by all men's judgments,</li>
  <li class="number">As if the garment had been made for me:</li>
  <li>Therefore I know she is about my height.</li>
  <li>And at that time I made her weep agood,</li>
  <li>For I did play a lamentable part:</li>
  <li>Madam, 'twas Ariadne passioning</li>
  <li class="number">For Theseus' perjury and unjust flight;</li>
  <li>Which I so lively acted with my tears</li>
  <li>That my poor mistress, moved therewithal,</li>
  <li>Wept bitterly; and would I might be dead</li>
  <li>If I in thought felt not her very sorrow!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li class="number">She is beholding to thee, gentle youth.</li>
  <li>Alas, poor lady, desolate and left!</li>
  <li>I weep myself to think upon thy words.</li>
  <li>Here, youth, there is my purse; I give thee this</li>
  <li>For thy sweet mistress' sake, because thou lovest her.</li>
  <li class="number">Farewell.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit SILVIA, with attendants</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>And she shall thank you for't, if e'er you know her.</li>
  <li>A virtuous gentlewoman, mild and beautiful</li>
  <li>I hope my master's suit will be but cold,</li>
  <li>Since she respects my mistress' love so much.</li>
  <li class="number">Alas, how love can trifle with itself!</li>
  <li>Here is her picture: let me see; I think,</li>
  <li>If I had such a tire, this face of mine</li>
  <li>Were full as lovely as is this of hers:</li>
  <li>And yet the painter flatter'd her a little,</li>
  <li class="number">Unless I flatter with myself too much.</li>
  <li>Her hair is auburn, mine is perfect yellow:</li>
  <li>If that be all the difference in his love,</li>
  <li>I'll get me such a colour'd periwig.</li>
  <li>Her eyes are grey as glass, and so are mine:</li>
  <li class="number">Ay, but her forehead's low, and mine's as high.</li>
  <li>What should it be that he respects in her</li>
  <li>But I can make respective in myself,</li>
  <li>If this fond Love were not a blinded god?</li>
  <li>Come, shadow, come and take this shadow up,</li>
  <li class="number">For 'tis thy rival. O thou senseless form,</li>
  <li>Thou shalt be worshipp'd, kiss'd, loved and adored!</li>
  <li>And, were there sense in his idolatry,</li>
  <li>My substance should be statue in thy stead.</li>
  <li>I'll use thee kindly for thy mistress' sake,</li>
  <li class="number">That used me so; or else, by Jove I vow,</li>
  <li>I should have scratch'd out your unseeing eyes</li>
  <li>To make my master out of love with thee!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

</section>

</section>

<section class="act">

<h2>ACT V</h2>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE I.  Milan. An abbey.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter EGLAMOUR</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EGLAMOUR</li>
  <li>The sun begins to gild the western sky;</li>
  <li>And now it is about the very hour</li>
  <li>That Silvia, at Friar Patrick's cell, should meet me.</li>
  <li>She will not fail, for lovers break not hours,</li>
  <li class="number">Unless it be to come before their time;</li>
  <li>So much they spur their expedition.</li>
  <li>See where she comes.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Enter SILVIA</li>
  <li>Lady, a happy evening!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>Amen, amen! Go on, good Eglamour,</li>
  <li class="number">Out at the postern by the abbey-wall:</li>
  <li>I fear I am attended by some spies.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">EGLAMOUR</li>
  <li>Fear not: the forest is not three leagues off;</li>
  <li>If we recover that, we are sure enough.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE II.  The same. The DUKE's palace.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter THURIO, PROTEUS, and JULIA</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>Sir Proteus, what says Silvia to my suit?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>O, sir, I find her milder than she was;</li>
  <li>And yet she takes exceptions at your person.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>What, that my leg is too long?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">No; that it is too little.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>I'll wear a boot, to make it somewhat rounder.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Aside  But love will not be spurr'd to what</li>
  <li>it loathes.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>What says she to my face?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">She says it is a fair one.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>Nay then, the wanton lies; my face is black.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>But pearls are fair; and the old saying is,</li>
  <li>Black men are pearls in beauteous ladies' eyes.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Aside  'Tis true; such pearls as put out</li>
  <li class="number">ladies' eyes;</li>
  <li>For I had rather wink than look on them.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>How likes she my discourse?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Ill, when you talk of war.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>But well, when I discourse of love and peace?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li class="number">Aside  But better, indeed, when you hold your peace.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>What says she to my valour?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>O, sir, she makes no doubt of that.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Aside  She needs not, when she knows it cowardice.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>What says she to my birth?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">That you are well derived.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Aside  True; from a gentleman to a fool.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>Considers she my possessions?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>O, ay; and pities them.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>Wherefore?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li class="number">Aside  That such an ass should owe them.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>That they are out by lease.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Here comes the duke.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter DUKE</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>How now, Sir Proteus! how now, Thurio!</li>
  <li>Which of you saw Sir Eglamour of late?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li class="number">Not I.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Nor I.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>Saw you my daughter?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Neither.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>Why then,</li>
  <li class="number">She's fled unto that peasant Valentine;</li>
  <li>And Eglamour is in her company.</li>
  <li>'Tis true; for Friar Laurence met them both,</li>
  <li>As he in penance wander'd through the forest;</li>
  <li>Him he knew well, and guess'd that it was she,</li>
  <li class="number">But, being mask'd, he was not sure of it;</li>
  <li>Besides, she did intend confession</li>
  <li>At Patrick's cell this even; and there she was not;</li>
  <li>These likelihoods confirm her flight from hence.</li>
  <li>Therefore, I pray you, stand not to discourse,</li>
  <li class="number">But mount you presently and meet with me</li>
  <li>Upon the rising of the mountain-foot</li>
  <li>That leads towards Mantua, whither they are fled:</li>
  <li>Dispatch, sweet gentlemen, and follow me.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>Why, this it is to be a peevish girl,</li>
  <li class="number">That flies her fortune when it follows her.</li>
  <li>I'll after, more to be revenged on Eglamour</li>
  <li>Than for the love of reckless Silvia.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>And I will follow, more for Silvia's love</li>
  <li>Than hate of Eglamour that goes with her.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li class="number">And I will follow, more to cross that love</li>
  <li>Than hate for Silvia that is gone for love.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE III.  The frontiers of Mantua. The forest.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter Outlaws with SILVIA</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Outlaw</li>
  <li>Come, come,</li>
  <li>Be patient; we must bring you to our captain.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>A thousand more mischances than this one</li>
  <li>Have learn'd me how to brook this patiently.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Outlaw</li>
  <li class="number">Come, bring her away.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Outlaw</li>
  <li>Where is the gentleman that was with her?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Third Outlaw</li>
  <li>Being nimble-footed, he hath outrun us,</li>
  <li>But Moyses and Valerius follow him.</li>
  <li>Go thou with her to the west end of the wood;</li>
  <li class="number">There is our captain: we'll follow him that's fled;</li>
  <li>The thicket is beset; he cannot 'scape.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Outlaw</li>
  <li>Come, I must bring you to our captain's cave:</li>
  <li>Fear not; he bears an honourable mind,</li>
  <li>And will not use a woman lawlessly.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li class="number">O Valentine, this I endure for thee!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE IV.  Another part of the forest.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter VALENTINE</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>How use doth breed a habit in a man!</li>
  <li>This shadowy desert, unfrequented woods,</li>
  <li>I better brook than flourishing peopled towns:</li>
  <li>Here can I sit alone, unseen of any,</li>
  <li class="number">And to the nightingale's complaining notes</li>
  <li>Tune my distresses and record my woes.</li>
  <li>O thou that dost inhabit in my breast,</li>
  <li>Leave not the mansion so long tenantless,</li>
  <li>Lest, growing ruinous, the building fall</li>
  <li class="number">And leave no memory of what it was!</li>
  <li>Repair me with thy presence, Silvia;</li>
  <li>Thou gentle nymph, cherish thy forlorn swain!</li>
  <li>What halloing and what stir is this to-day?</li>
  <li>These are my mates, that make their wills their law,</li>
  <li class="number">Have some unhappy passenger in chase.</li>
  <li>They love me well; yet I have much to do</li>
  <li>To keep them from uncivil outrages.</li>
  <li>Withdraw thee, Valentine: who's this comes here?</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter PROTEUS, SILVIA, and JULIA</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Madam, this service I have done for you,</li>
  <li class="number">Though you respect not aught your servant doth,</li>
  <li>To hazard life and rescue you from him</li>
  <li>That would have forced your honour and your love;</li>
  <li>Vouchsafe me, for my meed, but one fair look;</li>
  <li>A smaller boon than this I cannot beg</li>
  <li class="number">And less than this, I am sure, you cannot give.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Aside  How like a dream is this I see and hear!</li>
  <li>Love, lend me patience to forbear awhile.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>O miserable, unhappy that I am!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Unhappy were you, madam, ere I came;</li>
  <li class="number">But by my coming I have made you happy.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>By thy approach thou makest me most unhappy.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Aside  And me, when he approacheth to your presence.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>Had I been seized by a hungry lion,</li>
  <li>I would have been a breakfast to the beast,</li>
  <li class="number">Rather than have false Proteus rescue me.</li>
  <li>O, Heaven be judge how I love Valentine,</li>
  <li>Whose life's as tender to me as my soul!</li>
  <li>And full as much, for more there cannot be,</li>
  <li>I do detest false perjured Proteus.</li>
  <li class="number">Therefore be gone; solicit me no more.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>What dangerous action, stood it next to death,</li>
  <li>Would I not undergo for one calm look!</li>
  <li>O, 'tis the curse in love, and still approved,</li>
  <li>When women cannot love where they're beloved!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li class="number">When Proteus cannot love where he's beloved.</li>
  <li>Read over Julia's heart, thy first best love,</li>
  <li>For whose dear sake thou didst then rend thy faith</li>
  <li>Into a thousand oaths; and all those oaths</li>
  <li>Descended into perjury, to love me.</li>
  <li class="number">Thou hast no faith left now, unless thou'dst two;</li>
  <li>And that's far worse than none; better have none</li>
  <li>Than plural faith which is too much by one:</li>
  <li>Thou counterfeit to thy true friend!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>In love</li>
  <li class="number">Who respects friend?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>All men but Proteus.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>Nay, if the gentle spirit of moving words</li>
  <li>Can no way change you to a milder form,</li>
  <li>I'll woo you like a soldier, at arms' end,</li>
  <li class="number">And love you 'gainst the nature of love —  force ye.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SILVIA</li>
  <li>O heaven!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>I'll force thee yield to my desire.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Ruffian, let go that rude uncivil touch,</li>
  <li>Thou friend of an ill fashion!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">Valentine!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Thou common friend, that's without faith or love,</li>
  <li>For such is a friend now; treacherous man!</li>
  <li>Thou hast beguiled my hopes; nought but mine eye</li>
  <li>Could have persuaded me: now I dare not say</li>
  <li class="number">I have one friend alive; thou wouldst disprove me.</li>
  <li>Who should be trusted, when one's own right hand</li>
  <li>Is perjured to the bosom? Proteus,</li>
  <li>I am sorry I must never trust thee more,</li>
  <li>But count the world a stranger for thy sake.</li>
  <li class="number">The private wound is deepest: O time most accurst,</li>
  <li>'Mongst all foes that a friend should be the worst!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>My shame and guilt confounds me.</li>
  <li>Forgive me, Valentine: if hearty sorrow</li>
  <li>Be a sufficient ransom for offence,</li>
  <li class="number">I tender 't here; I do as truly suffer</li>
  <li>As e'er I did commit.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Then I am paid;</li>
  <li>And once again I do receive thee honest.</li>
  <li>Who by repentance is not satisfied</li>
  <li class="number">Is nor of heaven nor earth, for these are pleased.</li>
  <li>By penitence the Eternal's wrath's appeased:</li>
  <li>And, that my love may appear plain and free,</li>
  <li>All that was mine in Silvia I give thee.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>O me unhappy!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Swoons</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">Look to the boy.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Why, boy! why, wag! how now! what's the matter?</li>
  <li>Look up; speak.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>O good sir, my master charged me to deliver a ring</li>
  <li>to Madam Silvia, which, out of my neglect, was never done.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">Where is that ring, boy?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Here 'tis; this is it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>How! let me see:</li>
  <li>Why, this is the ring I gave to Julia.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>O, cry you mercy, sir, I have mistook:</li>
  <li class="number">This is the ring you sent to Silvia.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li>But how camest thou by this ring? At my depart</li>
  <li>I gave this unto Julia.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>And Julia herself did give it me;</li>
  <li>And Julia herself hath brought it hither.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">How! Julia!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>Behold her that gave aim to all thy oaths,</li>
  <li>And entertain'd 'em deeply in her heart.</li>
  <li>How oft hast thou with perjury cleft the root!</li>
  <li>O Proteus, let this habit make thee blush!</li>
  <li class="number">Be thou ashamed that I have took upon me</li>
  <li>Such an immodest raiment, if shame live</li>
  <li>In a disguise of love:</li>
  <li>It is the lesser blot, modesty finds,</li>
  <li>Women to change their shapes than men their minds.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">Than men their minds! 'tis true.</li>
  <li>O heaven! were man</li>
  <li>But constant, he were perfect. That one error</li>
  <li>Fills him with faults; makes him run through all the sins:</li>
  <li>Inconstancy falls off ere it begins.</li>
  <li class="number">What is in Silvia's face, but I may spy</li>
  <li>More fresh in Julia's with a constant eye?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Come, come, a hand from either:</li>
  <li>Let me be blest to make this happy close;</li>
  <li>'Twere pity two such friends should be long foes.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PROTEUS</li>
  <li class="number">Bear witness, Heaven, I have my wish for ever.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">JULIA</li>
  <li>And I mine.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter Outlaws, with DUKE and THURIO</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Outlaws</li>
  <li>A prize, a prize, a prize!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Forbear, forbear, I say! it is my lord the duke.</li>
  <li>Your grace is welcome to a man disgraced,</li>
  <li class="number">Banished Valentine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>Sir Valentine!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>Yonder is Silvia; and Silvia's mine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>Thurio, give back, or else embrace thy death;</li>
  <li>Come not within the measure of my wrath;</li>
  <li class="number">Do not name Silvia thine; if once again,</li>
  <li>Verona shall not hold thee. Here she stands;</li>
  <li>Take but possession of her with a touch:</li>
  <li>I dare thee but to breathe upon my love.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">THURIO</li>
  <li>Sir Valentine, I care not for her, I;</li>
  <li class="number">I hold him but a fool that will endanger</li>
  <li>His body for a girl that loves him not:</li>
  <li>I claim her not, and therefore she is thine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>The more degenerate and base art thou,</li>
  <li>To make such means for her as thou hast done</li>
  <li class="number">And leave her on such slight conditions.</li>
  <li>Now, by the honour of my ancestry,</li>
  <li>I do applaud thy spirit, Valentine,</li>
  <li>And think thee worthy of an empress' love:</li>
  <li>Know then, I here forget all former griefs,</li>
  <li class="number">Cancel all grudge, repeal thee home again,</li>
  <li>Plead a new state in thy unrivall'd merit,</li>
  <li>To which I thus subscribe: Sir Valentine,</li>
  <li>Thou art a gentleman and well derived;</li>
  <li>Take thou thy Silvia, for thou hast deserved her.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">I thank your grace; the gift hath made me happy.</li>
  <li>I now beseech you, for your daughter's sake,</li>
  <li>To grant one boom that I shall ask of you.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>I grant it, for thine own, whate'er it be.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>These banish'd men that I have kept withal</li>
  <li class="number">Are men endued with worthy qualities:</li>
  <li>Forgive them what they have committed here</li>
  <li>And let them be recall'd from their exile:</li>
  <li>They are reformed, civil, full of good</li>
  <li>And fit for great employment, worthy lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li class="number">Thou hast prevail'd; I pardon them and thee:</li>
  <li>Dispose of them as thou know'st their deserts.</li>
  <li>Come, let us go: we will include all jars</li>
  <li>With triumphs, mirth and rare solemnity.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>And, as we walk along, I dare be bold</li>
  <li class="number">With our discourse to make your grace to smile.</li>
  <li>What think you of this page, my lord?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>I think the boy hath grace in him; he blushes.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li>I warrant you, my lord, more grace than boy.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUKE</li>
  <li>What mean you by that saying?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VALENTINE</li>
  <li class="number">Please you, I'll tell you as we pass along,</li>
  <li>That you will wonder what hath fortuned.</li>
  <li>Come, Proteus; 'tis your penance but to hear</li>
  <li>The story of your loves discovered:</li>
  <li>That done, our day of marriage shall be yours;</li>
  <li class="number">One feast, one house, one mutual happiness.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

</section>

</div>

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